CASP3 and neoplasm: CSO regulates mitochondrial function by downregulating the expression of p-AKT, p-PI3K, and Bcl-2; upregulating the protein expression of the PTEN gene, caspase-9, Bax, caspase-3 and cytochrome c; and increasing the production of ROS, which induces apoptosis and inhibits tumor development in tumor cells (94).