Abstract: OBJECTIVE To compare the anti-tumor activities of total flavones and extracts from Arachniodes Exilis(Hance) Ching in vitro. METHODS Total extracts and flavones from Arachniodes exilis(Hance) Ching in different concentration were respectively used on human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, human lung cancer A549 cells and osteosarcoma Saos2 cells. Positive control was 400 nmol·L^-1 quercetin, and negative control was 0.1% DMSO complete medium. The changes of shape and density of cells were observed continuously in inverted phase contrast microscope for 3 d. CCK-8 detection was used to detect inhibition ratio and half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC₅₀). Apoptosis of HepG2 cells were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with the negative control group, the growth of A549 cells and HepG2 cells in different concentration of total extracts and flavones were inhibited after 24 h. The cells shrinked, turned round and cracked with concentration dependence. However, Saos-2 cells did not show obviously morphological changes. The result of CCK-8 detection suggested that the inhibition of total extracts and flavones on HepG2 cells and A549 cells had a concentration and time dependence. The IC₅₀ of total extracts and flavones on HepG2 cells were 76.62, 36.75 μg·mL^-1 and 170.13, 117.60 μg·mL^-1 on A549 cells. Certain concentration of flavones induced apoptosis of HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION The anti-tumor activity of total flavones from Arachniodes exilis(Hance) Ching is better than total extracts.