The ability of andrographolide to reduce cell proliferation without inducing a significant increase in cell death could be associated with a common property of immunosuppressant drugs. Indeed, immunosuppressant drugs such as Cyclosporin A and FK506, prevent activation-induced cell death by down-modulation of CD95L, and reduce proliferation of CD4+ and CD8+ naive T cells. Moreover, the inhibition of ERK5 phosphorylation by andrographolide can affect cellular proliferation. In this sense ERK5 has been implicated in growth control by mediating epidermal growth factor - induced proliferation in HeLa Cells and playing a significant role in the proliferation of breast cancer cells.