Since reactive oxygen species(ROS) has been known to play an important role in apoptosis induced by arsenic trioxide, we attempt to elevate the cellular ROS level on HeLa cell by an natural anthraquinone-emodin, then to study its effect on apoptotic sensitivity to arsenic, and finally to investigate the mechanisms of the involved signaling pathway. The results showed that emodin 10 micromol/L could enhance arsenic induced apoptosis via generation of ROS, whereas rendered no detectable effect on normal fibroblast. Increased ROS promoted mitochondrial transmembrane potential collapse; inhibited the activation of transcription factors NF-kappa B. The study elucidated that emodin sensitize HeLa cells via generation of ROS which result in enhancement of apoptosis signaling pathway and inhibition of survival signaling pathway.