Objective:To study the effect of aconite and cinnamon, two traditional Chinese medicines which have the function of dispelling cold by their warming and heating property, on the function of adrenal cortex. MethodsY1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells (Y1 cells) were taken as subjects in this experiment. Y1 cells were treated with 0.25 g/L, 1 g/L, 4 g/L, 8 g/L concentration of aconite and cinnamon decoction alcohol precipitation for 36 h or 48 h, and a blank control group and 1 μmol/L FSK group were established. The cell proliferation was detected by MTT, the content of corticosterone secreted by the cells was detected by ELISA, the expression of steroid hormone synthase gene by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and protein expression by Western blot.  Results:Compared with the control group, the viability of Y1 cells was inhibited significantly in 0.25 g/L, 1 g/L, 4 g/L and 8 g/L aconite and cinnamon groups(P<0.05). The corticosterone secretion of Y1 cells was decreased significantly in 4 g/L and 8 g/L aconite and cinnamon groups(P＜0.01). Cyp11a1, Cyp21a1 and Cyp11b1 genes expression were inhibited significantly by 0.25 g/L, 1 g/L, 4 g/L and 8 g/L aconite and cinnamon(P＜0.01). However, 8 g/L aconite and cinnamon significantly promoted Star gene expression(P＜0.01). And 4 g/L aconite and cinnamon significantly inhibited CYP11A1, CYP21A2, CYP11B1 proteins expression. Compared with the FSK group, 4 g/L aconite and cinnamon silenced the expression of Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp21a1, Cyp11b1 and could not be induced by FSK (P<0.01).  Conclusion:Aconite and cinnamon inhibits adrenocortical function by inhibiting cell viability and down-regulating the expression of steroid hormone synthase.