Objective To evaluate the role of myricetin in the metastasis of human renal cancer ACHN cells both in vitro and in vivo.Methods With different concentration of myricetin (25, 50, 100 μmol/L) acting on ACHN cells, the cell viability, migration and invasion were respectively measured with CCK-8 assay, wound healing migration assay and Transwell invasion assay in vitro.A lung metastatic model for human renal cell carcinoma was developed by tail vein injection with ACHN cells.The effect of myricetin on the metastasis of renal cell carcinoma was explored by intraperitoneal injection of myricetin in vivo.After 6 weeks, the micro metastases of the lungs in nude mice was examined.Results Compared to the control group, CCK-8 assay showed that the cell viability was significantly lower in the myricetin group at the concentration of 50 μmol/L for 24 h (P=0.019).The inhibitory effect became more significant with the increase in drug concentration or action time.In addition, myricetin also inhibits the migration and invasion of ACHN cells in a dose dependent manner.Intraperitoneal injection of myricetin significantly reduced the number of the micro metastases of renal cell carcinoma in the lungs of nude mice.Conclusion Myricetin effectively inhibits the cell viability, migration and invasion of human renal cancer ACHN cells.It has the potential therapeutic value in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma.