By constructing a rat model of hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates, apigenin can stimulate the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway, inhibit cell apoptosis, reduce inflammatory response and oxidative stress, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect on neonatal HIE (Fu et al., 2021). This evidence concerns the gene AKT1 and perinatal asphyxia.