Background: The anti-lung tumor potential of 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid was investigated. Materials & methods: The inhibitory effects of 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was assessed by proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and molecular mechanisms in NSCLC H446 cells in vitro. The results showed that the growth of H446 cells was significantly inhibited by 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Meanwhile, 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid induced cell apoptosis and cell cycle G2-M phase arrest in H446 cells. Results: Mechanistically, 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid could activate JNK signaling pathway, down regulate the expression of surviving protein, and activate the cleavage of PARP, leading to marked inhibitory effect on H446 cells. Conclusions: These findings suggest that 11-carbonyl-beta-boswellic acid may be a potential usefulness for preventing and treatment of NSCLC. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.