AIM: To detect the inhibition effect of nitidine chloride on proliferation of human liver cell L-02 and human kidney cell 293 and the protective effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor(aFGF) on human liver cell L-02 and human kidney cell 293 damaged by nitidine chloride in vitro. METHODS: The MTT assay was used to assess the proliferation of human liver cell L-02 and human kidney cell 293 treated with nitidine chloride.The contents of SOD and MDA and LDH in cultural supernate were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Nitidine chloride inhibited the proliferation of human liver cell L-02 and human kidney cell 293 in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Nitidine chloride has certain toxicity on human liver cell L-02 and human kidney cell 293.aFGF could protect human liver cell L-02 and human kidney cell 293 damaged by nitidine chloride.