We study here in vitro cytotoxicity, in vivo tumor inhibition and the mechanism on photodynamic therapy (PDT) of photosensitizer BF01 using human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line BEL-7402. CCK-8 method was used to detect the inhibition rate and IC₅₀ in BEL-7402 cells on the same laser intensity with varying concentrations (0, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, 6.4 μmol·L^-1) of photosensitizer BF01. Cell death mode of BEL-7402 was detected by flow cytometry, with apoptotic characteristics observed by DAPI staining, and the subcellular localization of reactive oxygen was observed using photodynamic detection and confocal microscopy. The cell model of human liver cancer in nude mice was established, tumor growth curve was drawn, and the therapeutic effect of BF01 was determined. The animal experimentation was approved by East China University of Science and Technology Ethics Committee. The results indicated that BF01 PDT treatment can clearly inhibit BEL-7402 tumor cell proliferation, with the killing rate of 86% at the concentration of 6.4 μmol·L^-1 of BF01, and half lethal concentration IC₅₀ value of 2.46 μmol·L^-1. DAPI stained nuclei shows the characteristics of advanced stage apoptosis, whereas reactive oxygen species level in the mitochondria increased with increasing drug concentration. In vivo experiments showed that photosensitizer BF01 mediated photodynamic therapy of liver cancer cells and inhibited tumor growth in mice. Therefore, the new BF01 photosensitizer has a potential for development into future clinic application.