Cancer remains a significant global health challenge due to limited treatment options and associated side effects. Herbal medicines offer promising alternatives for cancer treatment, given their perceived effectiveness, safety, and reliability. In this study, we investigated the in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of Dillenia bracteata Wight on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell lines. The plant material was collected from a local area in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Various extracts were prepared using pet ether, benzene, ethyl acetate, methanol, and distilled water. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, phenols, steroids, flavonoids, gums, mucilages, proteins, volatile oils, fixed oils, and fats in the extracts. Quantitative estimation of secondary metabolites showed that the methanol extract exhibited higher levels of chemical constituents compared to other extracts, particularly in terms of phenols, glycosides, flavonoids, and saponins. Column chromatography of the methanol extract using dichloromethane, acetone, ethanol at various concentrations led to the isolation of an active chemical constituent, which was subjected to further evaluation for antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The in vitro antioxidant activity of the isolated fraction was assessed using superoxide radical scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation assays. Results indicated significant antioxidant activity of the isolated fraction compared to the methanol extract and standard drugs. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the isolated fraction and methanol extract was evaluated using the MTT assay. Both showed significant anticancer activity against EAC cell lines, with IC50 values of 91.55 μg/mL and 92.72 μg/mL, respectively. Morphological changes observed in EAC cell lines treated with the isolated fraction and methanol extract suggested the induction of apoptosis, a crucial mechanism in cancer treatment. In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of exploring natural sources for novel anticancer agents and provides valuable insights for the development of alternative cancer treatment options with minimal side effects. The findings support the potential anticancer properties of Dillenia bracteata and warrant further investigation into its mechanisms of action. Further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of Dillenia bracteata and to validate its efficacy in vivo