Objective To evaluate the effect of apigenin on cell migration, invasion of human lung cancer cell line A549 and the underlying mechanisms. Methods A549 cells were cultured with different concentrations of apigenin (0, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 μmol/L), and CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the cell inhibition rates. Cell migration and invasion capabilities were evaluated by means of transwell and transwell matrix penetration assays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blotting analysis were used to study the activities and expressions of invasion-related proteins matrix-metallopeptidase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Results CCK8 assay results showed that apigenin caused a concentration-dependent (40, 80, and 160 μmol/L) inhibition against proliferation of A549 cells (P <0.05). Compared with the control group, apigenin significantly inhibited the migration and invasion capabilities of A549 cells, accompanied by significantly decreased MMP-2 and VEGF expression (P <0.05). However, apigenin showed no effect on MMP-9 protein expression. Conclusion Apigenin can effectively inhibit migration and invasion of human lung cancer cell line A549, which is probably through suppressing the expressions of MMP-2 and VEGF.