CASP3 and cancer: The present study showed that TMEA significantly inhibited the growth of multiple cancer cells, such as HepG2, A549, and SW620 cells, via induction of cellular apoptosis, including activating caspase-3, upregulating Bax, downregulating Bcl-2, and reducing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in cancer cells and tumor tissues (Figure 9).