Objective: To investigate the effect of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis, as well as on expression of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG-2 cells. Methods: The inhibition rate of cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay after HepG-2 cells were exposed to different concentrations of curcumin (10, 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L) for different time periods (16, 24 and 48 h). Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry following exposure of HepG-2 cells to μmol/L curcumin for 24 h. The NF-κB p65 expression in HepG-2 cells was measured by Western blot analysis after treatment with different concentrations of curcumin (10, 25, 50 and 100 μmol/L) for 24 h. Results: Curcumin significantly inhibited the proliferation of HepG-2 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (all P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of HepG-2 cells was significantly increased after curcumin treatment versus untreated HepG-2 cells (P<0.05). The NF-κB p65 expression in HepG-2 cells was down-regulated in a concentration-dependent manner after incubation with gradient concentrations of curcumin. Conclusion: Curcumin can inhibit the growth and promote apoptosis of HepG-2 cells, and the mechanism may be associated with its blockage of NF-κB pathway.