Objective:To determine the effect of triptolide on the proliferation and apoptosis of HL-60 cells in acute myeloid leukemia and Jurkat cells in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Methods: Human leukemia cell lines were treated with triptolide at different concentrations. The inhibitory rate of cells proliferation was detected by MTT assay, apoptosis rate was detected by AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining, cell cycle was observed by PI staining, and cell morphology was observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Results: Cell proliferation of HL-60 and Jurkat cells was significantly inhibited and their survival rates were reduced by triptolide in a dose-dependent manner, with the IC50 value for 24 h of (42.50 ± 9.38) nmol/L and (60.91 ± 9.77) nmol/L, respectively. Triptolide induced cells apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner,apparent cell cycle and typical apoptotic morphological changes. Conclusion: Triptolide could significantly inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human leukemia cell lines of HL-60 and Jurkat.