AIM: To investigate the inhibitory effect of rabbit lens epithelial cell (RLEC) survival and growth by propylene glycol mannate sulfate (PGMS) on the rabbit capsular bag in vitro. · METHODS: Capsular bags were prepared from rabbit eyes after extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and incubated in 0.2, 0.4, 0.8g/L PGMS in 2, 5, 10 minutes incubation periods. After treatment, the capsular bags were cultured for 7 days in Dulbecco minimum essential medium (DMEM) supplemented with 50mL/L fetal calf serum (FCS). The specimens were examined with light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Capsular bags without receiving PGMS only served as controls. · RESULTS: PGMS inhibited the proliferation of RLEC in the manner of concentration and time dependent. At the threshold protocol of incubation in PGMS at 0.8g/L for 5 or 10 minutes, proliferative activity of cells were largely arrested and nearly no RLEC was seen on the posterior capsule (P < 0.05). Control group had no effect on structure and proliferative activity of RLEC, and the growth proceeded rapidly so that the posterior capsule were totally covered by a confluent monolayer of cell by the end of 7 days. Under TEM, the cells in the control group were tightly arrayed with clearly defined cellular boundary and structure; while cellular deformity and undefined intracellular structure could be seen in the 0.4g/L and 0.8g/L experimental groups. · CONCLUSION: PGMS can effectively inhibit the proliferation of RLEC.