【Objective】To investigate the effects of tamoxifen（TAM）on the apoptosis of C6 glioma cells and to explore the possible molecular mechanism.【Methods】C6 glioma cells were treated with different concentrations of TAM at different time points. Cell death was measured by trypanblue staining. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by DAPI staining， DNA ladder and FACS. Phosphorylation of PKCα was detected by Westernblot. After C6 glioma cells were pretreated with or without 10μmol/L Go6976（inhibitor of PKCα）for 1 h followed by different concentrations of TAM（or 0.3% DMSO）exposure for 24h，we performed agarosegel electrophoresis and FACS to analyze cell apoptosis. 【Results】TAM markedly induced cell death of C6 glioma cells，which was positive correlation with the concentrations and treat ment time of TAM.TheTAM-mediated cell death was mainly apoptosis. Cells treated with TAM displayed typical morphological change of apoptosis such as cell shrinkage，and DNA ladderbands. TAM increased the percentage of apoptotic cells and phosphorylation of PKCα indose-and time-dependent manners. In addition，Go6976，a specific inhibitor of PKCα， enhanced TAM-induced C6 glioma cells apoptosis.【Conclusion】TAM promoted C6 glioma cell apoptosis. PKCα mediatedTAM-induced C6 glioma cell apoptosis. This study would provide useful knowledge for prevention and treatment of human glioma.