Paris polyphylla is a traditional Chinese Medical herb that has been used for thousands of year. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Paris possess a variety of pharmacological effects ,such as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, sedation, analgesia, hemostasis. In recent years, the pharmacological mechanism of Paris polyphylla focuses on its anti-tumor and renal protective effects. This paper reviewed the progress in the studies on pharmacological effects of Paris polyphylla.