Triptolide (TP), a diterpenoid triepoxide purified from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F is characterized by strong anti-tumor effects on various cancer cells. Except its anti-tumor effects, TP also shows multiple pharmacological side activities, such as anti-inflammatory, immune-suppressive and male anti-fertility. In order to reduce these side effects, especially the immuno-suppressive activity when used to cure cancer, a novel polymeric micelle system containing TP (TP-PM) was constructed. The immune-modulation effects of TP-PM have been evaluated by previous studies. In this study, we compared the cytotoxicity of TP and TP-PM on Jurkat and HT29 cells. Therefore, we determined the cell viability, membrane integrity, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and caspase 3/7 activity after exposure to TP and TP-PM. The results demonstrated that actually low concentrated TP and TP-PM could induce an inhibition of cell growth and proliferation as well as membrane damage in both tumor cell lines. TP and TP-PM induced apoptosis and caused activation of caspase 3/7 even at low concentrations. Both formulations destroyed the membrane of Jurkat cells, nevertheless, TP-PM showed stronger pernicious effects. In general, TP-PM induced in both tested cell lines stronger effects than TP. Therefore, polymeric micelles can be considered as promising carriers for TP in cancer therapy. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.