ABSTRACT
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory [NSAIDs] are used widely for musculoskeletal and other inflammatory conditions. In this study, the efficacy and toxic effects of Piroxicam was compared with Diclofenac and Dexamethasone in an in vitro fibrosarcoma cell culture [Wehi 964] model using cytotoxicity analysis and zymography assay. The concentration all the drugs ranged between 10 to 200 micro g/ml per ml of cell culture [20/000/well] and incubated overnight. The results showed that these drugs produced inhibitory effects on the expression of matrix Metalloproteinase [MMPs], in which Diclofenac was the most cytotoxic. The LD50 for Diclofenac was approximately 20 micro M compared to 80 micro M for Piroxicam and Dexamethasone, which had LD50 of 80 micro M. In addition, Diclofenac produced caused greater inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and cell death at higher concentration. These effects were found to be correlated with its inhibitory effect on MMPs expression. The above findings indicated that Piroxicam excess an inhibitory effect on expression of MMPs. Thus, this drug can be used in inflammatory conditions