# Myricetol

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/myricetol
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-29
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Compound
**Also Known As:** Myricetin, 3,3',4',5,5',7-Hexahydroxyflavone, Cannabiscetin, Myrica flavonoid, Hydroxy-flavonol, Myricetol flavonoid, Bayberry flavonol

## Overview

Myricetol, commonly known as myricetin, is a polyhydroxylated flavonol found in berries, grapes, and herbs that exerts its effects primarily through inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2/MMP-9), viral enzymes, and modulation of [oxidative stress](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) pathways. Its broad preclinical activity spans anti-metastatic, [antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support), and [neuroprotective](/ingredients/condition/cognitive) mechanisms, though robust human clinical trials remain limited.

## Health Benefits

• Exhibits anti-metastatic properties through inhibition of MMP-2/MMP-9 enzymes, though primarily supported by preclinical evidence.
• Shows potential [antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) activity by inhibiting viral enzymes such as HIV reverse transcriptase and SARS-CoV-2 Mpro, based on preclinical studies.
• May promote apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, suggesting anti-cancer potential, but lacks robust clinical trials.
• Demonstrates [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) effects by modulating pathways like NF-κB and reducing cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, supported by preclinical studies.
• Acts as an antioxidant, scavenging [reactive oxygen species](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant), with evidence from in vitro studies.

## Mechanism of Action

Myricetol inhibits MMP-2 and MMP-9, zinc-dependent endopeptidases critical for extracellular matrix degradation and tumor metastasis, by binding to their catalytic domains and reducing their proteolytic activity. It also competitively inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and occupies the active site of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro), blocking viral replication machinery. Additionally, myricetol activates the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, upregulating endogenous [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) enzymes such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), while modulating AMPK pathways relevant to metabolic function.

## Clinical Summary

The majority of myricetol's evidence derives from in vitro cell culture and rodent models, with few controlled human trials published to date. Preclinical studies demonstrate IC50 values in the low micromolar range (1–20 µM) for MMP inhibition and [antiviral](/ingredients/condition/immune-support) enzyme suppression, though translating these concentrations to achievable human plasma levels remains uncertain. A small number of epidemiological studies suggest inverse associations between dietary flavonol intake, including myricetin-rich foods, and risks of certain cancers and [cardiovascular](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) events, but causality cannot be established from observational data alone. Overall, the evidence is promising but insufficient to make definitive clinical recommendations without larger, well-designed randomized controlled trials.

## Nutritional Profile

Myricetol (also known as Myricetin, CAS 529-44-2) is a polyphenolic flavonoid compound (flavonol subclass), not a macronutrient or conventional food ingredient. Molecular formula: C15H10O8, molecular weight: 318.24 g/mol. It is not a source of protein, fat, or dietary fiber. Caloric contribution is negligible at physiological intake levels. As a pure bioactive compound, its 'nutritional profile' is defined by its polyphenolic structure featuring a 3,5,7,3',4',5'-hexahydroxyflavone backbone, which confers strong [antioxidant](/ingredients/condition/antioxidant) capacity (ORAC value estimated >1000 μmol TE/g in vitro). Naturally occurring concentrations in food sources: red wine (~0.5–10 mg/L), onions (~0.3–1.2 mg/100g fresh weight), berries such as cranberries and blackcurrants (~0.1–3.5 mg/100g), green tea (~0.2–2 mg/100g dry weight), and walnuts (~0.4–1.1 mg/100g). Bioavailability is notably limited: oral bioavailability is estimated at less than 10% in humans due to extensive first-pass [metabolism](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), poor aqueous solubility (~0.3 mg/mL at physiological pH), and rapid phase II metabolic conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation, methylation) in the intestinal wall and liver. Gut microbiota play a significant role in its biotransformation to smaller phenolic metabolites such as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid and phloroglucinol derivatives, which may carry residual bioactivity. No established dietary reference intake (DRI) or recommended daily allowance (RDA) exists for myricetin. Plasma half-life following oral administration is approximately 1–3 hours. Nanoformulation and phospholipid complexation have been studied to enhance its bioavailability by up to 3–5 fold in preclinical models.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are specified due to limited human trials. Preclinical studies have used various doses, but standardized human dosing is not established. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Myricetol is generally considered safe at dietary intake levels found in foods such as berries, red wine, and tea, but high-dose supplementation has not been rigorously evaluated for long-term safety in humans. At supraphysiological doses, in vitro data suggest potential pro-oxidant activity, and caution is warranted. Myricetol may interact with anticoagulant medications such as warfarin by inhibiting CYP1A2 and CYP2C9 enzymes, potentially altering drug metabolism and increasing bleeding risk. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplemental doses beyond normal dietary exposure due to insufficient safety data, and individuals on diabetes medications should monitor [blood glucose](/ingredients/condition/weight-management), as myricetin may have additive hypoglycemic effects.

## Scientific Research

The clinical evidence for Myricetol is limited, with few human trials and no comprehensive RCTs or meta-analyses identified in the research. Reviews call for more human trials to validate preclinical findings, but no specific PMIDs are available.

## Historical & Cultural Context

The research does not provide specific information on traditional or historical uses of Myricetol. It is primarily studied for its modern pharmacological potential without an ethnopharmacological context.

## Synergistic Combinations

Quercetin, Resveratrol, Curcumin, Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is myricetol and how does it differ from quercetin?

Myricetol (myricetin) is a flavonol with three hydroxyl groups on its B-ring, compared to quercetin's two, making it a more potent antioxidant in some assays but also less bioavailable. Its ORAC value and radical-scavenging capacity are generally higher than quercetin, though quercetin has a significantly larger body of human clinical research supporting its use.

### Can myricetol inhibit cancer metastasis in humans?

Currently, evidence for myricetol's anti-metastatic effects is limited to preclinical models, where it suppresses MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in cancer cell lines such as HeLa and MCF-7 at concentrations of 10–50 µM. No human clinical trials have confirmed these anti-metastatic effects, so it cannot be recommended as a cancer treatment or adjunct therapy without further research.

### Does myricetol have antiviral activity against COVID-19?

In silico docking studies and in vitro assays show that myricetol binds to the SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) with binding energies around -8 to -9 kcal/mol, comparable to some investigated antivirals in computational models. However, these are purely preclinical findings, and no human trials have evaluated myricetol as a treatment or preventive measure for COVID-19.

### What foods are the highest natural sources of myricetol?

The richest dietary sources of myricetin include bilberries (~70 mg/100g), black currants, onions, parsley, and red wine, with most Western diets providing roughly 0.3–1 mg/day. Supplemental forms typically provide 50–500 mg per dose, far exceeding normal dietary exposure, though optimal supplemental dosing for any health outcome has not been established in clinical trials.

### Is myricetol safe to take with blood thinners like warfarin?

Myricetol inhibits hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2C9, which are responsible for metabolizing warfarin, potentially raising warfarin plasma levels and increasing bleeding risk. Anyone taking anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin, or NSAIDs should consult a healthcare provider before using myricetol supplements and should monitor INR levels closely if supplementation is initiated.

### What is the current level of clinical evidence supporting myricetol supplementation in humans?

Most evidence for myricetol comes from preclinical in vitro and animal studies demonstrating anti-metastatic, antiviral, and anti-cancer mechanisms. There are currently very few human clinical trials evaluating myricetol's efficacy or optimal dosing, making it premature to draw definitive conclusions about its therapeutic benefits in people. The gap between laboratory findings and clinical validation means supplementation recommendations remain largely theoretical.

### Does myricetol have better bioavailability or effectiveness compared to other naturally occurring flavonoids?

Myricetol shares structural similarities with other flavonoids like quercetin and myricetin, which may affect its absorption and metabolism similarly. Limited comparative bioavailability data exists specifically for myricetol versus other flavonoids in humans. Most flavonoid absorption is relatively poor (typically 5–10%), and myricetol's bioavailability has not been formally characterized in clinical studies.

### Who would theoretically benefit most from myricetol supplementation based on current research?

Based on preclinical evidence, individuals interested in anti-metastatic or antiviral support might theoretically benefit, though human evidence is lacking. People with specific cancer or viral concerns should consult healthcare providers, as current research cannot justify myricetol as a standalone treatment. General populations seeking immune or antioxidant support may consider myricetol-rich foods, but supplemental evidence in humans is insufficient for personalized recommendations.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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