Abstract: ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of curcumin on proliferation, invasion and VEGF-C expression in human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7. Methods Proliferation and invasion of MCF-7 cell inhibited by curcumin were assessed by MTT and Transwell technique.Expression levels of VEGF-C mRNA and protein in MCF-7 cell were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blot respectively. Results The Curcumin markedly inhibited proliferation capacity of MCF-7 cell （P＜0.001）.The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was 37 μmol/L.The number of invasion of MCF-7 cell were significantly lower in curcumin group than that in control group（P＜0.001）.It was also lower in 40 μmol/L group than 20 μmol/L group(P＜0.001).VEGF-C mRNA and protein expression were also effectively down regulated in vitro.The relative expression of VEGF-C mRNA and protein were lower in 40 μmol/L group than 20 μmol/L group(P＜0.05). Conclusion The proliferation and invasion ability of MCF-7 cell is effectively inhibited by curcumin.It is possible to inhibit the invasion of MCF-7 cell by down-regulation of VEGF-C expression.