Aspirin and indomethacin exhibit antiproliferative effects and induce apoptosis in T98G human glioblastoma cells

The in vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing properties of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like acetyl salicylic acid (aspirin) and indomethacin were investigated in T98G human glioblastoma cells to explore their potential role in the chemoprevention of human glioma. The biological effects induced by aspirin and indomethacin on T98G cells, in which the expression of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were confirmed by RT-PCR and immunostaining, were investigated by studying cell proliferation and apoptosis assays. The antiproliferative effects occurred in a dose- and time-dependent manner on T98G cells by the treatment with 0.1 -2 mM aspirin and 25-100 muM indomethacin. Moreover, aspirin displayed the greatest growth inhibition within 24 h. Approximately 90% growth inhibition occurred following treatment either with 2 mM aspirin or 100 muM indomethacin by 72 h and induction of apoptosis was confirmed by DNA laddering and TUNEL assay. Our in vitro findings indicate that aspirin and indomethacin have an antiproliferative effect on T98G human glioblastoma cells at toxic concentrations.