ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITY OF ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN 2 MAMMALIAN-CELL CULTURE LINES

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  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 202  (2) , 446-454
Abstract
The nonsteroid anti-inflammatory drugs inhibited cell proliferation when added to rat hepatoma and human fibroblast cultures. The inhibition was reversible; normal growth resumed when the cultures were washed free of drug. Protein and nucleic acid synthesis, as measured by isotope incorporation, was also reduced, although this reduction was probably a reflection of the decrease in cell numbers. An exception was, that in low concentrations, the salicylate drugs, salicylamide, salicylic acid and aspirin stimulated protein and nucleic acid synthesis in high concentrations (> 1 mM) they inhibited culture growth and protein and nucleic acid synthesis. Pharmacologically inactive derivatives, such as m-hydroxybenzoic acid and gentisic acid, were not inhibitory in concentrations up to 5 mM. The order of potency in inhibiting culture growth, meclofenamate > indomethacin > salicylamide > phenylbutazone > phenacetin > aspirin = salicylic acid, was similar to that reported for their anti-inflammatory activity and ability to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. The antiproliferative activity of these drugs may, in part, account for their anti-inflammatory and toxic actions in vivo.