It has been reported that MEL suppresses the development and progression of tumours through inhibition of the MAPK pathway.34, 35 A number of studies outlined that the MAPK signalling pathways contain the Ras‐Raf‐ERK or classical pathway, JNK/p38 MAPK and ERK5 MAPK pathways.36 Studies have previously reported that MEL exerts an inhibitory effect on tumours through the classical and JNK/p38 MAPK pathways.8, 34 However, thus far, information on the role of the ERK5‐MAPK pathway in this process is limited. This evidence concerns the gene MAPK1 and neoplasm.