Abstract: A complex of α- lactalbumin and oleic acid has previously been shown to have growth- inhibitory effect on cancer cells( Human alpha- lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells,HAMLET). Ovalbumin and oleic acid complex was prepared and its cell growth inhibition effect,along with contribution of oleic acid,were all evaluated on Caco-2 cell by using cell- growth inhibition,cellular membrane integrity,cell cycle and apoptosis assays.The result showed that OVA- OA significantly( p < 0.05) inhibited cell growth at 182 μmol / L( OA),and the inhibitory effect was enhanced as the concentration was increased to 273 μmol / L.The inhibitory effect was also increased as incubation time was extended in a time- dependent manner. OA at 182 μmol / L also exhibited remarkable cell- growth-inhibitory effect in a similar pattern to OVA- OA,while its inhibitory effect was lower than that of OVA- OA at the same OA concentration of 273 μmol / L. Both OVA- OA and OA could increase LDH release rate,lead to cycle arrested at G0/ G1 and S phases,and induce apoptosis.In conclusion,the complex of OVA and OA has HAMLETlike cell- growth- inhibitory effect,which could be mainly contributed to OA.The mechanisms were associated with damage of cellular membrane integrity,arrest of cell cycle and induction of cell apoptosis.