The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, comprising Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae extract as an active ingredient. More specifically, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing or treating cancer, containing Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae extract, a hexane extract of Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae or a shikonin-based compound as an active ingredient. The Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae extract and the shikonin-based compound isolated from the extract according to the present invention have an effect in suppressing cell proliferation of cells of various cancers such as colon cancer, melanoma, gastric cancer, liver cancer, sarcocarcinomas and breast cancer, and have a cell cycle arresting effect and an effect in promoting the expression of apoptotic factors, and thus the anti-cancer activity is superior to that of conventional anti-cancer drugs and, being naturally-derived constituents, they have no side effects and are stable in the body. Consequently, the Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae hexane extract and the shikonin-based compound isolated from the extract according to the present invention can be used to advantage in the production of anti-cancer drugs for preventing or treating various cancers.La présente invention concerne une composition pharmaceutique pour prévenir ou traiter le cancer, comprenant un extrait de Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae en tant que substance active. Plus spécifiquement, la présente invention concerne une composition pharmaceutique pour prévenir ou traiter le cancer, contenant un extrait de Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae, un extrait dans lhexane de Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae ou un composé à base de shikonine en tant que substance active. Lextrait de Radix Lithospermi seu Arnebiae et le composé à base de shikonine isolé à partir de lextrait selon la présente invention ont un effet dans la suppression de la prolifération cellulaire de cellules de di
