Objective To investigate the effects of oridonin on the invasion of human breast cancer cells MDA-MB 231 and the underlying mechanisms. Methods Transwell assay was performed to examine the effects of oridonin on the invasion of human breast cancer cells MDA-MB 231. Gelatin zymography assay was performed to detect the effects of oridonin on the enzyme activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Lu-ciferase reporter assay was carried out to test the effects of oridonin on the promoter activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Results Oridonin significantly inhibited the invasion of MDA-MB 231 cells. And oridonin treatment led to the decrease of the promoter activities and enzyme activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 (P < 0. 05 or P <0.01). Conclusion Oridonin is able to effectively inhibit the invasion of breast cancer cells and this inhibition may be reached through decreasing the promoter activities and enzyme activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9.