Objective:To explore the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells T24 induced by curcumin precursor compounds,which were generated by introducing ester bond toughening groups and to provide a new foundation for treating bladder cancer. Methods:T24 bladder cancer cells and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were treated with curcumin precursor compounds,boc-phenylalanine- curcumin (BPC),and curcumin,MTT assay was used to determine the cellular inhibition rate and flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptotic rate. Ultrastructural changes of T24 cells treated with 20 and 40 BPC μmol/L were by electronic microscopy. Results:BPC and curcumin precursor compounds at 5~40 μmol/L inhibited the proliferation of T24 bladder cancer cells following incubation for 6~24 h in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The inhibition rate of BPC was 5.31%~59.34 % (P < 0.05),and that of curcumin was 7.33%~63.59%(P < 0.05). Inhibition of normal HASMCs was reduced obviously compared with the curcumin group (the BPC group,1.41%~12.34% vs. the curcumin group,5.34%~36.59%,P < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference(P < 0.05). Fow cytometry showed that,at 24 h,the apoptotic rate of T24 cells treated with 5~40 μmol/L BPC was 16.97%~47.12%(P < 0.05) and that of curcumin-treated cells was 19.21%~48.92% (P < 0.05). For HASMCs,the apoptotic rate of T24 cells treated with 5~40 μmol/L BPC was 0.94%~3.27%,and that of curcumin-treated cells was 4.69%~11.35%. There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy showed that T24 cells treated with BPC exhibited morphological features typical of apoptosis. Conclusion:Curcumin ester compounds BPC can inhibit T24 bladder cancer cell proliferation and lead to apoptosis,but with no apparent effect on normal HASMCs. It may provide a new foundation for curcumin-based treatment of tumors.