Our results indicated that (Z)-2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid increased phosphorylated Akt levels compared to the untreated animals in the MI group, further indicating that the protective effect of (Z)-2-acetoxy-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) acrylic acid was achieved by inhibiting myocardial cell apoptosis. This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and myocardial infarction.