Emodin induces apoptosis and growth inhibition of AML (acute myeloid leukemia) cells through the activation of caspase-9, caspase-3, PARP (poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase), cleavage and decrease of the expression of antiapoptotic factors such as Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2). The gene discussed is BCL2; the disease is acute myeloid leukemia.