Objective To investigate the effects of capsaicin on the invasion ability of human large cell carcinoma NCI-H460 and the expressions of E-cadherin and Snail;To discuss the possible mechanisms of anti-non-small cell lung cancer.Methods NCI-H460 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with capsaicin at various concentrations, and no capsacin-treated group was set as control group. Effects of capsaicin on NCI-H460 apoptosis, its invasion ability, and the changes in protein expressions of E-cadherin and Snail were evaluated by Hoechst33342 nuclear staining assay, Transwell chamber invasion assay, and Western blot respectively. Results Compared with the control group, Hoechst33342 nuclear staining assay showed that capsaicin could induce NCI-H460 cell apoptosis (P<0.05);Transwell invasion in vitro results showed that capsaicin could significantly inhibit invasion of penetrating cells (P<0.05);Western blot analysis showed that E-cadherin expression level was significantly elevated and snail expression level significantly decreased (P<0.05).Conclusion Capsaicin can induce NCI-H460 cell apoptosis. Decrease the Snail expression and stimulate E-cadherin expression so as to inhibit the invasion ability of NCI-H460, which may be one of its mechanisms of anti-non-small cell lung cancer.