Apigenin, in turn, promotes TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human RA-FLS and inhibits TRAIL-dependent proliferation of RA-FLS by increasing the expression and activity of caspase-3, decreasing the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax, restoring the expression of cell cycle inhibitors p21 and p27, and activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This evidence concerns the gene CASP3 and rheumatoid arthritis.