Studies of the effects of eugenol on various cancer cell lines have reported induction of apoptosis in human melanoma G361 cells mediated by activation of caspases 3 and 622; induction of apoptosis in mast cells through translocation of p53 to the mitochondria23; and a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential of human leukemia cells (HL60) by activating caspase 3, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a reduction in thiol levels24. The gene discussed is CASP3; the disease is leukemia.