β-Elemene induces apoptosis of human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes via reactive oxygen species-dependent activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

Taken together, β-elemene is effective in inducing mitochondrial apoptosis of RA-FLS, which is mediated through induction of ROS formation and p38 MAPK activation. β-Elemene may thus have therapeutic benefits for RA.