Methyl nomilinate from citrus can modulate cell cycle regulators to induce cytotoxicity in human colon cancer (SW480) cells in vitro

► Citrus limonoids inhibited cell proliferation and DNA synthesis of human colon cancer. ► Methyl nomilinate was the most potent cytotoxic mediator in SW480 colon cancer. ► Methyl nomilinate induces cell cytostasis through modulation of cell cycle regulators. ► First study on the chemopreventive activity by methyl nomilinate in colon cancer.