Objective: To observe the effects of oxaliplatin(L-OHP) on proliferation of human hepatoma cell line QGY in vitro and to investigate the mechanism. Methods: The inhibition of proliferation in QGY cell was assayed by MTT-test. Morphologic changes were observed under light microscope and electronic microscope. Distribution of cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of cell cycle proteins and apoptosis-associated proteins were detected with immuno-histochemical technique. Results: Oxaliplatin could inhibit the proliferation of QGY cells and the inhibition depended on the exposure time and dose. The cells showed morphologic changes of the early stage of apoptosis under the light microscope: the shrunk round cells, condensed cytoplasma and pycnosis of nucleus. Apoptotic cells and apoptotic body could be found under the transmission electronic microscope. The analysis of cell cycle indicated that oxaliplatin blocked cells at S and G2/M phases and the cells of G0/Gl phase reduced. When treated with oxaliplatin for 72h, the expressions of cyclin A and Bax were up-regulated, mutant type P53, Bcl-2 and Myc were down-regulated, and Fas was not changed. Conclusion: Oxaliplatin could inhibit the proliferation of the hepatoma cell lines. Cells were blocked at S and G2/M phases. The apoptosis was related to the up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of mutant type P53, Bcl-2 and Myc. Oxaliplatin could not induce apoptosis through the Fas pathway.