CASP3 and cancer: Furthermore, in vitro anti-cancer efficacy of biocompatible ι-carrageenan-γ-maghemite nano-composite has been demonstrated in the human colon cancer cell line by inducing cell apoptosis through the ROS-mediated mitochondrial pathway, along with down-regulation of XIAP and PARP-1 expression, and the up-regulation of expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL [197,231].