Background and Objective: Deoxyelephantopin (DET), the major constituent of Elephantopus scaber, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effect in vitro. However, there is no direct evidence that DET can inhibit colorectal cancer cells migration and invasion. The anticancer activity of DET was evaluated by a MTT assay. Materials and Methods: Cell apoptosis were detected by Annexin V/PI staining. Cell invasion and transwell migration assays were used to observe the effect of DET on cells invasion and migration. Results: In the present study, data showed that DET treatment reduced colorectal cancer (CRC) cells migration and invasion and DET treatment decreased the protein levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13). This is the first paper suggested DET-reduced MMP-13 expression can inhibit CRC invasion and migration. Conclusion: Therefore, the present study provides evidence that the DET reduced MMP-13 expression, leading to decrease the migration and invasion of CRC cells. This study provides a mechanistic insight into the inhibiting CRC functions of DET.