Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Methods: 3-(4,5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis, morphological changes, acridine orange staining, and agarose gel electrophoresis were applied to detect apoptosis. The percentage of apoptotic and necrotic cells was calcu- lated by the lactate dehydrogenase activity-based cytotoxicity assay; senescence associated (SA)-β-galactosidase activity was detected to evaluate senescence; flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide staining was carried out to investi- gate the distribution of cell cycle, and the protein expression was examined by Weste blot analysis. Results: During apoptosis, the half maximal inhibitory concentration IC502 was 3.4 and 1.35 μmol/L at 36 and 48 h after PAB treatment, respectively. The MCF-7 cells exposed to PAB showed typical characteristics of apoptosis, including the morphological changes and DNA fragmentation. The MCF-7 cells treated with 4 μmol/L PAB for 36 h underwent apoptosis, but not necrosis. The apoptosis induced by PAB was independent of the death receptor pathway. The senescent cells became larger and flatter, and the SA-β-galactosi- dase staining was positive. PAB induced obvious mitotic arrest and it preceded apoptosis and senescence. The expressions of p21 and p53 was upregulated with PAB treatment, and cyclin B 1 was upregulated and transported from the cyto- plasm to nuclei, and sustained stable levels. Conclusion: PAB induced mitotic arrest in the MCF-7 cells and inhibited proliferation through apoptosis and senescence. The apoptosis was independent of the death receptor pathway.