The results of the present study reveal that hinokitiol holds anticancer effects against adenocarcinoma A549 cells via induction of tumor suppressor proteins p53 and Bax and apoptotic markers (activated caspase-9 and -3, cytochrome c), down regulation of MMPs-9 and MMP-2, and up regulation of antioxidants enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The gene discussed is MMP2; the disease is adenocarcinoma.