MAPK8 and tuberculosis: The innovation points of this study are as follows: (1) demonstration of the inhibitory efficacy of TB on p53-WT HCC cells (SK-Hep-1); (2) clarification of the action mechanism of TB through cell apoptosis and cellular senescence; and (3) determination of TBʹs molecular mechanism via ATM-Chk2-p53 signaling pathway with JNK bypass regulation.