Objective: To study the effects of apigenin on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human breast cancer cells(MDA-MB-231. Methods: MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation inhibitory effect of apigenin on MDA-MB-231 cell. ELISA was used to determine the protein level of VEGF secreted by MDA-MB-231 cells. RT-PCR was used to detect mRNA levels of VEGF in MDA-MB-231 cells. The protein levels of HIF-1α,p-AKT,p-ERK1/2,and p53 were detected by West Blotting. Results: Apigenin did not inhibit the cell viability of MDA-MB-231 cell. Apigenin reduced the secretion and mRNA levels of VEGF in MDA-MB-231 cells. Additionally, apigenin decreased the expressions of HIF-1α,p-AKT and p-ERK1/2, but induced the expression of p53. Conclusion: Apigenin can inhibit VEGF expression in human breast cancer cells, and this may be achieved through decreasing HIF-1α.