The actions of the BK openers under hyperkalemia conditions were mostly mediated by the activation of the caspase-3 activity in hslo-HEK293 cells as demonstrated by the fact that the rank order of efficacy of these drugs in inducing caspase-3 activation in hslo-HEK293 cells (BFT> ACTZ > DCP≥ RESV ≥ ETX >NS1619 > QUERC ≥ MTZ) was similar with that observed as BK openers in the same cells. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is Hyperkalemia.