The present invention relates to use of compounds of general formula 1 for anticancerous activity, wherein the said compound being derived semi-synthetically from natural triterpenoic acids known as boswellic acids by the induction of apoptosis thereof cytotoxicity and anti-cancer activity displayed by semi-synthetic analogues of natural triterpenes, known as Boswellic acids. These compounds may be used for the treatment of cancer, alone or in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable or other carriers, displaying cytotoxicity and anti-cancer activity for colon, prostrate, liver, breast, central nervous system (CNS), leukemia and malignancy of other tissues, including ascites and solid tumors. The cancer cell death is mediated by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation at specific doses.