The activation of p38 MAPK plays an anti-BC role through various pathways, such as blocking the cell cycle process (Yang et al., 2021), inducing cell apoptosis (Zhang et al., 2014; Chen et al., 2022), inhibiting cell invasion and metastasis (Kumar et al., 2010; Piao et al., 2021), and through the antioxidant response element (ARE) driving genes and COX-2 (Shan et al., 2009; Shan et al., 2010). The gene discussed is PTGS2; the disease is breast cancer.