Studies (42, 43) have shown that apigenin has a pro-apoptotic effect in human RA-FLS, and it can induce RA-FLS apoptosis by mediating ROS and oxidative stress activator ERK1/2, and mediate apoptotic cell death by activating the apoptotic effector caspase-3/7. This evidence concerns the gene CASP3 and rheumatoid arthritis.