Objective To investigate the effects of vitexin on the behavior, serum cystatin C ( CYS-C) and neuron-specific enolase ( NSE) levels, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of catecholamine neurons and substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease. Methods Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into a control group, model group, pramipexole group, and vitexin group. The mice in all groups except the control group were intraperitoneally injected with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine ( MPTP) for 7 consecutive days. Normal saline was administered to the mice in the control group and model group, and pramipexole tablets and vitexin were administered to the mice in the control group and model group, respectively. The intervention lasted for 30 days. The behavior of the mice was evaluated by a lever climbing experiment and swimming experiment. The levels of dopamine (DA), dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), hypervanillic acid ( HVA), 5-hydroxytryptamine ( 5-HT), and serum CYS-C and NSE in the substantia nigra were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the brain tissues of mice were determined by spectrophotometry; the apoptosis rate of dopaminergic neurons was determined by TUNEL staining; and the protein expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 in the substantia nigra were determined by Western blot. Results The swimming score; CYS-C, DA, DOPAC, HVA, 5-HT, SOD, and GSH-Px levels; and Bcl-2 protein expression of mice in the model group were all lower than those in the normal group, while the lever-climbing score; NSE and MDA levels; dopaminergic neuron apoptosis rate; and Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression were all higher (P< 0. 01). The swimming score; CYS-C, DA, DOPAC, HVA, 5-HT, SOD, and GSH-Px levels; and Bcl-2 protein expression of mice in the vitexin group and pramipexole group were significantly higher than those in the model group, while the lever- climbing score; NSE and MDA levels; dopaminergic neuron apoptosis rate; and Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression were significantly lower (P< 0. 01). Compared with the pramipexole group, The 5-HT, SOD, and GSH-Px levels and the Bcl-2 protein expression in the vitexin group were significantly higher than those in the pramipexole group, while the MDA level, dopaminergic neuron apoptosis rate, and Bcl-2 protein expression were significantly lower. Conclusions Vitexin has a protective effect on behavioral symptoms and nerve injury in mice with MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease, and the mechanism may be related to the improvement of catecholamine neurotransmitters, inhibiting oxidative damage and cell apoptosis in the substantia nigra.