Evaluation of Cytotoxicity of Diclofenac Sodium on L929 Fibroblasts - An in vitro Study

The aim of the study is to evaluate comparatively the cytotoxicity of diclofenac sodium and calcium hydroxide on L929 fibroblasts. L929 fibroblast cells were cultured and grown on Dulbecco modified Eagle’s medium. Intracanal medicaments tested were Diclofenac sodium, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 mM/ml) and calcium hydroxide. The human fibroblast cell lines cultured in Dulbecco Modified Eagle’s medium were used as control group. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The results showed that there was a significant difference in cell viability as compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the group treated with diclofenac sodium and calcium hydroxide (1.0 mM/ml). However, diclofenac sodium at concentration more than 5 mM/ml was found to be cytotoxic. The study concludes that diclofenac sodium is cytotoxic at 5 mM/ml and above. Therefore, further studies are recommended to establish the antimicrobial efficacy of the medicament. Within the limitations of the study, Diclofenac sodium at concentration more than 5mM/ml was found to be cytotoxic for the cells. The inhibitory concentration (IC50) of Diclofenac sodium at which the cells were viable was found to be 5.2 mM/ml. Further studies should be done to establish the antimicrobial efficacy of the medicament at these concentrations.