BAX and melanoma: Fig 3B shows a marked increase in the levels of activated Bax and Bak in Mel-AT cells treated with EGb761. In contrast, activated Bax and Bak could hardly be detected in Mel-RM cells at 16 hours after treatment. These results suggest that the oligomerization of Bax and Bak and subsequent reduction in MMP are involved in apoptosis induced by EGb761, further confirming the role of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in EGb761-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells. In support, EGb761 triggered release of cytochrome C, Smac/DIABLO, and AIF from mitochondrial into the cytosol (Fig 3C).