Aim To investigate the effects of one of the flavone puerarin on the apoptosis of the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and the molecular mechanism of this effect and observe the influence of puerarin on the expression ofdthe relevant genes of apoptosis. Methods By using the method of differential display RT PCR on the puerarin induced rabbit aorta smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis model, the different expressed fragments were recovered, cloned,sequenced and compared with GeneBank databases. Then labeled the probe by 32 P, and observed the gene expression by northern hybridization with the VSMC mRNA stimulated by puerarin in different concentration. Results 1. Some ESTs showed significant higher level of expression in puerarin group than in control group. 2. Three ESTs were isolated from VSMCs stimulated by puerarin, similar to the gene of glucose regulated protein 94 (GRP94) in the rabbit. 3. Northern hybridization showed the high level expression in puerarin treated VSMC. 4. Gray scale scan proved that GRP94 was positive ratio with puerarin concentration. Conclusion The molecular mechanism of the function of promoting apoptosis of VSMC by puerarin perhaps results from promoting the gene expression of the GRP94 of VSMC.