Three previously established cell lines (yellow, red and white) of Saussurea medusa were investigated for jaceosidin and hispidulin production. Maximum yields of the jaceosidin and hispidulin were obtained in the red cell line at 75+/-0.41 and 6.4+/-0.31 mg l-1. Production of jaceosidin and hispidulin correlated with the sizes of compact callus aggregates (CCA) and cellular viability. In the red cell line, the sizes of CCA were predominantly of 2-4 mm diameter and accounted for 64% biomass. This line had a sustained cell viability over 10 successive sub-cultures.