Objective To study the effect of apigenin ( AGN) on autophagy and oxidative stress, and its neuroprotection in MPP⁺ -induced Parkinson’ s model cells. Methods CCK-8 assays were used to screen the effective concentration of AGN. SH-SY5Y cells were divided into six groups: ① Control group; ② MPP⁺ group; ③ group A: 10 μmol / L AGN; ④ group B: 20 μmol / L AGN; ⑤ group C: 40 μmol / L AGN; ⑥ group D: 100 μmol / L AGN. After determining the effective concentration of AGN, the cells were divided into three groups: Control, MPP⁺ , and AGN+MPP⁺ groups. Apoptosis, protein expression of Caspase 3, Bcl-2, Bax, LC3-II, LC3-I, Beclin-1, and ULK-1, and propylene glycol, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were examined. Analyze each group of GFP-LC3 spots. Results AGN at 40 μmol / L significantly reduced the cytotoxic damage induced by MPP⁺ . Therefore, 40 μmol / L AGN was chosen as the optimal protective concentration for subsequent experiments. The apoptosis rate of the AGN+MPP⁺ group was lower than that of the MPP⁺ group ( P< 0.05). Compared with the MPP⁺ group, expression of Caspase 3 was decreased and the the Bcl-2/ Bax ratio was increased in the AGN+MPP⁺ group (all P< 0.01). Compared with the MPP⁺ group, expression of MDA was inhibited (P < 0. 05) and the activities of GPX and SOD were restored in the AGN+MPP⁺ group (P< 0.05). Intracellular GFP-LC3 spots in the AGN+MPP⁺ group were significantly reduced compared with those in the MPP⁺ group (P< 0.05). Compared with the MPP⁺ group, the LC3-II/ LC3-I ratio and expression of Beclin-1 and ULK1 were significantly reduced in the AGN+MPP⁺ group (all P< 0.05). Conclusions AGN alleviates apoptosis of SH- SY5Y cells induced by MPP⁺ and enhances their antioxidant capacity. Its cytoprotective effect may be related to reduction of autophagy.