Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) is a well-known natural polyphenolic compound that has garnered considerable interest because of its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics in humans. Although the antimicrobial activity of resveratrol has recently been focused, however, the antifungal activity and its mechanism are still largely unknown. Here, we report for the first time the potential of resveratrol as an apoptosis inducer in the human pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. The results showed that resveratrol exerted its effects from the early to the late stages of apoptosis and involved the activity of reactive oxygen species, particularly hydroxyl radicals ((OH)-O-center dot). DiOC(6)(3) and JC-1 staining indicated that loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) is a key event in resveratrol-induced apoptosis. Finally, we investigated metacaspase activation resulting from mitochondrial dysfunction. The result showed that resveratrol strongly activated metacaspase and promoted cytochrome c release. In summary, resveratrol induces fungal apoptosis through a caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway and is a potential agent for treating human fungal diseases.