We investigated the inhibitory effects of phytol and methyl 11,14,17 eicosatrienoic acid (methyl ETA, n 3, 20 : 3) separated from perilla leaves on the growth of human cancer cells. Phytol inhibited significantly the growth of HT 29 human colon cancer cells, MG 63 osteosarcoma cells and AZ 521 gastric cancer cells. Although the activity of methyl ETA was lower than that of phytol, it was also observed to have the inhibitory effect on three human cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the DNA synthesis of the MG 63 osteosarcoma cells was markedly decreased by the addition of the phytol and methyl ETA. These results suggest that phytol and methyl ETA identified from the perilla leaves may play a role on the growth inhibition of the human cancer cells.