Objective To investigate the effect of aloe-emodin on proliferation and migration of human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823. Methods The effects of aloe-emodin on cell proliferation,cell cycle stage and migration ability of BGC-823 cells were observed.The proliferation level was measured by MTT method, cell cycle stage was detected with flow cytometry and migration ability was tested by wound healing assay. Results MTT assay showed the inhibitory effect of aloe-emodin on proliferation of BGC-823 cells was dose-dependent; Treatment of BGC-823 cells with aloe-emodin resulted in cell cycle arrest at GSUB>0/SUB>/GSUB>1/SUB> phase by flow cytometry analysis; The migration velocity of BGC-823 cells was obviously inhibited as shown in wound healing assay. Conclusion The inhibitory effect of aloe-emodin on proliferation and migration of BGC-823 cells was dose-dependent, as well as the cell cycle was arrested at GSUB>0/SUB>/GSUB>1/SUB> phase, which offers the clue for further understanding the inhibition mechanism of aloe-emodin on human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823.