Z-VAD(OH)-FMK is widely used in biochemical and cellular research as a potent and irreversible caspase inhibitor. It plays a crucial role in studying apoptosis, a programmed cell death process, by preventing the activity of caspases, which are key enzymes involved in this pathway. Researchers use it to investigate the mechanisms of cell death and survival in various contexts, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune responses. Additionally, it is employed in experimental models to determine the involvement of apoptosis in specific cellular or tissue damage scenarios. Its ability to inhibit a broad range of caspases makes it a valuable tool for understanding the regulation and implications of apoptotic pathways in both healthy and diseased states.