Background Inhibitors of arachidonate lipoxygenase 5 (ALOX5) exhibit anticancer activity. Zileuton is an FDA-approved drug for treating asthma and an ALOX5 inhibitor. This study evaluated the efficacy of zileuton in cervical cancer, determined the molecular mechanism of action, and assessed ALOX5 expression in cervical cancer patients. Methods The effects of zileuton were evaluated using cervical cancer cell lines and xenograft mouse models. Loss-of-function analysis of ALOX5 was performed using siRNA. The levels of ALOX5 and 5-HETE were determined using immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Results Zileuton resulted in cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction in a dose-dependent manner, regardless of cellular origin or HPV infection. In two independent cervical cancer xenograft mouse models, zileuton at nontoxic doses significantly prevented tumor formation and decreased tumor growth. Zileuton acts on cervical cancer cells by inhibiting the ALOX5-5-HETE axis. Of note, ALOX5-5-HETE was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer compared with normal tissue. Inhibition of ALOX5 via the siRNA approach mimics the inhibitory effects of zileuton and confirms the roles of ALOX5 in cervical cancer. Conclusions Our work demonstrates that the ALOX5-5-HETE axis is activated in cervical cancer, with important roles in growth and survival, and this can be therapeutically targeted by zileuton. Our findings also provide preclinical evidence to assess the efficacy of zileuton in cervical cancer in clinical settings.