We previously showed that panduratin A isolated from an extract of Kaempferia pandurata (Zingiberaceae) was a strong inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in RAW264.7 cells, suggesting a potential use of panduratin A as an anti-inflammatory agent. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of panduratin A on cytoplasmic levels of COX-2, as well as proliferation and apoptosis in human colon cancer cells HT-29. Cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis was determined by the MTT assay, DNA fragmentation measurement, flow cytometric analysis, nuclear staining and Western blotting. The MTT assay indicated that panduratin A exhibited cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 28 microM. The cytotoxic effects of panduratin A were found to be accompanied by the dose-dependent induction of apoptosis as assessed by DNA fragmentation and apoptotic bodies. In addition, treatment with an apoptosis-inducing concentration of panduratin A resulted in cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) with a concomitant decrease in procaspase-3 protein. Our study provides evidence for cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis by panduratin A in human colon cancer cells, suggesting its potential use as a cancer chemopreventive and therapeutic agent.