Effects of indomethacin, nimesulide, and diclofenac on human MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs worldwide and serve as treatment of some degenerative inflammatory joint diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different concentrations of three NSAIDs on cell proliferation, differentiation, antigenic profile, and cell cycle in the human MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line, incubated for 24 hr. All NSAIDs had an inhibiting effect on osteoblastic proliferation. Treatments for 24 hr had small but significant effects on the antigenic profile. No treatment altered osteocalcin synthesis. Indomethacin and nimesulide treatments arrested the cell cycle at G(0)/G(1). These results suggest that indomethacin, nimesulide, and diclofenac appear to have no effects on osteocalcin synthesis and a slight effect on the antigenic profile. They may delay bone regeneration due to their inhibiting effect on osteoblast growth. Therefore, these drugs should only be used in situations that do not require rapid bone healing.