Objective To study the effects of Polyphyllin Ⅰ on the growth inhibition and apoptosis induction of androgen independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Methods CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of Polyphyllin Ⅰ on the growth of PC-3 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of Polyphyllin Ⅰ on the cell cycle of PC-3 cells. TUNEL method was used to detect the effect of Polyphyllin Ⅰ on apoptosis of PC-3 cells. Results The high, medium, and low dose groups of Polyphyllin Ⅰ (1, 0.5, 0.25 μ G/mL) can inhibit PC-3 cells in a time and concentration dependent manner, with a significant difference in the inhibition rate compared to the negative control group (P<0.01). High and medium dose groups and positive control group (cisplatin 2.5 μ G/mL), there was a significant difference in the inhibition rate (P<0.01). The flow cytometry test showed that after the high, medium, and low dose groups of Polyphyllin I were applied to PC-3 cells, the G0/G1 phase cells significantly increased, while the S phase cells decreased, with a significant difference compared to the negative control group (P<0.01). There was a significant difference between the high and middle dose groups and the positive control group (P<0.01). The TUNEL assay showed that the apoptosis rate of PC-3 cells in the high, medium, and low dose groups of Polyphyllin Ⅰ was significantly increased, and there was a dose-effect positive correlation, with a significant difference compared to the negative control group (P<0.01).Conclusion Polyphyllin Ⅰ can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of androgen independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells