Maize yellow pigment was extracted from corn protein powder, and the possible effects on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231, PC-3, ES-2 and A549 cell lines were investigated by MTT assays, the effects on cell invasion and migration were studied by transwell assay, and its influences on cell cycle and cell apoptosis were observed by flow cytometry. Results showed that maize yellow pigment specifically inhibited the viability of MDA-MB-231, PC-3, ES-2 and A549 cell lines, especially on ES-2. The invasion and migration abilities were decreased to 52.59% and 55.76%, respectively, when the concentration of maize yellow pigment reached 100 μg/mL. The cells of G1 phase, S phase and G2 phase decreased to 85.33%,11.64% and 3.21%, respectively, with the increase of maize yellow pigment concentration. The cell cycle of more ES-2 were arrested at G1phase. In summary, maize yellow pigment can induce apoptosis, arrest cell cycle and inhibit cell proliferation and migration of ES-2 cells.