Furthermore, the intensive antiproliferative effect of β-elemene on NSCLC cells was proved by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPKa) and ERK1/2 mediated inhibition of transcription factor Sp1, followed by reduction in DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) protein expression. Here, DNMT1 is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.