[Inhibitory effect of diclofenac sodium on the proliferation of rabbit corneal epithelial cells in vitro].

PURPOSE To investigate the inhibitory effect of diclofenac sodium on rabbit corneal epithelial cells (RCECs) in vitro and explore its pharmacological mechanism. METHODS The fresh rabbit cornea was cultured to obtain the primary RCECs, and RCECs of passage 2 were used in this research. The cells were divided into experimental groups, the cells in which were incubated with different concentrations (18.18, 27.27, 36.36, 45.45, 54.55 μg/ml) of diclofenac sodium, and control group. The effect of diclofenac sodium on the proliferation of cells was measured by methyl thiazolyl thiazolium (MTT) assay 24, 48 and 72 h after incubation. While the RCECs were divided into experimental groups, the cells in which were incubated with 9 and 12.5 μg/ml diclofenac sodium, and control group. The cell cycle and apoptotic rate were observed by flow cytometer. RESULTS MTT assay showed that diclofenac sodium had obvious inhibitory effect on RCECs, and the inhibition rate was increasing along with the increasing concentration of diclofenac sodium and the incubation time(P<0.05). Flow cytometer showed that after incubation with diclofenac sodium, the cells in G0/G1 phase were obviously increased, and the apoptosis cusp and apoptotic rate were increased. CONCLUSION Diclofenac sodium exerts significant inhibitory effect on RCECs in a dosage-dependent manner, and it may function by inducing cell apoptosis and ceasing cell cycles.