The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of human acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line HL-60. HL-60 cells were treated by AKBA at various concentrations. The inhibitory effects of AKBA on the proliferation of HL-60 were analyzed by MTT assay. Morphologic changes of HL-60 cells were observed by fluorescence microscopy with Hochest33342 staining. Cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry with Annexin-V-FITC/PI double staining. The cell cycle was measured by flow cytometry with PI staining. The results showed that AKBA inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 and the apoptosis rate of HL-60 cells was gradually enhanced when AKBA dose increased. AKBA changed the cell cycle of HL-60, resulting in cell increase at G(1) phase and decrease at S phase. It is concluded that the AKBA has anti-proliferation and apoptosis-inducing effects on HL-60 cells, that seems a promising therapeutical approach for AML.