Colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of death among cancer patients. Therapeutic agents that can down regulate the expression of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in colorectal tumors may prove effective in the treatment of colorectal tumor, given the fact that this is highly metastatic in nature. Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical, plays major role in many signaling pathways takes the lead role in colon cancer progression. Emodin, a naturally occurring anthraquinone suppresses the NO mediated up regulation of matrix metalloproteinases. The study reveals that emodin can be targeted as an effective anti metastatic agent in NO induced tumor progression. The methodology involved detecting the non cytotoxic concentration of exogenous nitric oxide releaser (SNP) and emodin in WiDr cell line. Molecular level analysis of matrix metalloproteinase mRNA levels in SNP and emodin treated cells shows a clear correlation of the involvement of these enzymes in WiDr cell migration and the inhibitory action of emodin on cell migration.