In support of this, previous studies also identify that erianin upregulates Bim and Bax expression whereas downregulates Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 levels, leading to the activation of the intrinsic apoptosis signaling in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, bladder cancer cells, nasopharyngeal cancer cells and osteosarcoma cells (13, 14, 16, 17). This evidence concerns the gene BAX and hepatocellular carcinoma.