In conclusion, germacrone inhibits the proliferation of gastric cancer BGC823 cells by inducing the G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through regulation of cell cycle-associated proteins cyclin B1, cdc 2, and cdc 25c, and apoptosis-associated proteins procaspase-3, − 6, − 8, − 9, cleaved caspase-3, − 6, − 8, − 9 and cleaved PARP. This evidence concerns the gene CCNB1 and gastric cancer.