Apigenin shows synergistic anticancer activity with curcumin by binding at different sites of tubulin

► Apigenin binds purified tubulin and inhibits it polymerization. ► Apigenin disrupts microtubule structure and induces apoptosis in A549 cells. ► Apigenin shows synergistic anticancer activity with curcumin. ► Apigenin and curcumin synergistically disrupt microtubule network and induce apoptosis. ► Apigenin and curcumin bind tubulin simultaneously at two different sites.