CASP9 and cancer: In this respect, the experimental design included (i) cell viability assessment in both cancer (Detroit 562 cells) and healthy (HGF-1 gingival fibroblasts) cells, (ii) analysis of cellular morphology, (iii) evaluation of intracellular ROS level and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential as early events in mitochondrial dysfunction, (iv) confirmation of mitochondria morphology alterations and nuclear changes, (v) activation of caspase 9 and caspases 3/7, as key regulators of intrinsic mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, and (vi) validation of apoptosis occurrence.