Objective To study the inhibition of HPV16 by oleum curcumae. Methods The human cervical cancer cell line-CaSki, SiHa and the immortalized cervical epithelial cell-H8 were cultured with different concentrations of oleum curcumae. Changes in cellular form were observed by phase contrast microscopy. The proliferative inhibition under different concentrations of oleum curcumae on CaSki, SiHa and H8 was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay and flow cytometry assay. The mRNA expression of HPV16 E6E7 was determined by RT-PCR semi-quantitatively. Results The growth of CaSki, SiHa and H8 was inhibited by different concentrations of oleum curcumae. SiHa cells were accumulated in G₂, S phase(P<0.01), while CaSki, H8 cells were accumulated in S phase (P<0.01). The apoptosis rates in CaSki, SiHa and H8 cells were higher than those in control group(P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.05). After treated by oleum curcumae, CaSki, SiHa and H8 cell showed decreased level of HPV16 E6E7 mRNA than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions Oleum curcumae may execute its antiHPV activity primarily by decreasing the expression of HPV 16E6E7 in cervical cancer cell line and immortalized cervical epithelial cells.