Table 1.

Potential therapies of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and their mechanism of actions

Erythropoietin, darbepoietin	Favors neurogenesis; works as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, decreases apoptosis and excitotoxic cell injury
Stem cells	Stem cells modulate the immune system and affect long-term outcomes
Melatonin	Works as neuroprotective
Xenon	Antagonizes the N-methyl-D-aspartate mediated excitotoxicity decreasing calcium entry into the cell
Allopurinol	Works by inhibiting the enzyme xanthine oxidase, decreases reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial lysis, and cell death
Topiramate	Blocks the voltage-dependent sodium and calcium channels and also inhibits the excitatory glutamate pathway while enhancing the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid
Magnesium sulfate	Antagonizes the N-methyl-D-aspartate mediated excitotoxicity and decreasing calcium entry into the cell
Monosialogangliosides	protect against apoptotic injury
Endocannabinoids	Preclinical studies
Argon	Preclinical studies
Azithromycin	Preclinical studies