Abstract: ［Abstract］Objective To investigate the anti-tumor effects of total saponins， extracted from stems and leaves of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. Methods Taking mouse stomach carcinoma MFC cell line， human mammary cancer cell line（MCF-7）and human cervical carcinoma cell line（Hela），and their tumor-bearing mice as models， the antitumor activity was carried out in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8 assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect in vitro. The tumor-bearing mice model was induced by tumor cell vaccination in normal mouse forelimb left axillary subcutaneous and these mice were randomized into NS group， cytoxan group（30 mg/kg），saponins high-dose， medium-dose and low-dose groups（60，30 and 15 mg/kg）. They were given intraperitoneal injection once a day for consecutive 15 days. The tumor inhibition rate and survival of the tumor-bearing mice were measured. Results Saponins， extracted from both aboveground and underground of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis could significantly inhibit the growth of MFC，MCF-7 and Hela cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. The tumor weight in each drug treated group was significantly lower than that in the control group. Conclusion Saponins，extracted from both aboveground and underground of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis have antitumor activity.