ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the phototoxicity of several commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by in vitro BALB/c 3T3 cytotoxicity method. METHODS: The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of test articles with and without irritation were compared to calculate photo-irritation factor (PIF), then phototoxicity was judged based upon PIF values. RESULTS: The PIF values of ketoprofen and naproxen were greater than 134.4 and 6.69, respectively, and that of fenbufen equaled to 5.96, all suggesting phototoxicity; ibuprofen and indometacin showed non-phototoxicity. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are consistent with previous reports. It is verified that in vitro BALB/c 3T3 cell phototoxicity method has excellent predictability and suitability. Combining this method with other tests is believed as the inevitable trend to fully estimate the potential phototoxicity of compounds.