The methanol extract of the leaves of Morinda tinctoria Roxb. (MEMT) was studied for its anticancer activity using in vitro and in vivo cancer models. MEMT was investigated for its short-term cytotoxicity on EAC tumor cells by trypan blue dye exclusion method and in vitro cytotoxicity on NIH 3T3, A549, Hep2 and HepG2 cells by MTT assay. In vivo anticancer activity was studied on EAC tumor-bearing mice. Anticancer activity was assessed by monitoring the mean survival time, the percentage increase in life span, the effect on haematological parameters, antioxidant enzyme levels and solid tumor volume. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU, 20 mg/kg/i.p.) was used as a standard. The extract showed potent in vitro cytotoxicity against each of the tested tumor cell lines, but it was found to be harmless to normal cells. MEMT at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, significantly increased the mean survival time (P<0.001), exerted a protective effect on the hemopoietic system (P<0.05 -0.001), prevented lipid peroxidation and restored the antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase in the liver of tumor control animals (P<0.001). It also significantly reduces the solid tumor volume (P<0.01). The results showed a significant anticancer and cytotoxic effect of MEMT against EAC and human cancer cell lines, and thus supported the ethnomedical use of Morinda tinctoria.