The purpose of the present research work was to demonstrate the antitumor activity of dihydrokaempferol in SK-Mel-28 human malignant melanoma cells. MTT assay was used to study the cytotoxic effects induced by dihydrokaempferol in these cells. In vitro wound healing assay and invasion assay were used to examine its effects on cell migration and invasion. Fluorescence microscopy using acridine orange/propidium iodide was used to study effects on cell morphology and apoptosis. Western blot assay revealed its effects on NF-kB/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) protein expression levels. The results indicated that dihydrokaempferol significantly inhibited the growth of these cells and the cytotoxicity pattern was shown to follow the drug dose and incubation times. Dihydrokaempferol led to onset of red fluorescence in these cells indicating that its treatment with different doses leads to induction of apoptosis. Dihydrokaempferol also led to inhibition of cell migration and invasion in a dose-dependent manner. It was also shown to up-regulate NF-kB/MAPK signalling pathways. © 2016, Bangladesh Pharmacological Society. All rights reserved.