Dihydroartemisinin treatment led to the mitochondrial membrane depolarization, release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3, and DNA fragmentation in HepG2, PLC/PRF/5 and Hep3B cell lines, thereby inducing apoptosis of HCC cell lines. This evidence concerns the gene CASP9 and hepatocellular carcinoma.