Objective To investigate the effects of flavopiridol on growth, cell apoptosis, and cell cycle of hepatocellular carcinoma cell(HCC) Huh7. Methods Huh7 cells were treated with flavopiridol, then cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed. Protein expression of CDK4/CDK6/cyclinD1 complex was determined by western blot. Results Flavopiridol inhibited Huh7 cell growth. Flavopiridol induced dose-dependent cell apoptosis in Huh7 cells. Percentage of apoptotic cells increased from 2.65% in control cells to 14.17% in flavopiridol treating(550 nmol/L) cells. Flavopiridol significantly blocked Huh7 cell cycle at G1 phase and percentages of cell arrested at G1 phase increased from 51.06% in control cells to 57.53% in cells treated with 550 nmol/L of flavopiridol. Flavopiridol can inhibit protein expressions of CDK4, CDK6 and cyclinD1 in Huh7 cells. Conclusion Flavopiridol inhibits cell proliferation through regulating expressions of G1 phase protein complex CDK4/CDK6/cyclinD1, which lead to G1 phase arrest and apoptosis in HCC cells.