All compounds induced DNA damage (based on 8-oxo-guanidine, ɣH2AX staining in cells) and apoptosis (based on elevated DNA condensation/fragmentation, Annexin V staining, caspase 3/7 activity and mitochondrial membrane depolarization) in HCT-116 colon cancer cells. Here, CASP3 is linked to colonic neoplasm.