Indomethacin

**Semantic type:** Organic Chemical|Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** A synthetic nonsteroidal indole derivative with anti-inflammatory activity and chemopreventive properties. As a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), indomethacin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase, thereby preventing cyclooxygenase-mediated DNA adduct formation by heterocyclic aromatic amines. This agent also may inhibit the expression of multidrug-resistant protein type 1, resulting in increased efficacies of some antineoplastic agents in treating multi-drug resistant tumors. In addition, indomethacin activates phosphatases that inhibit the migration and proliferation of cancer cells and downregulates survivin, which may result in tumor cell apoptosis. (NCI04)

**Synonyms:** - 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy- 2-methyl-1-H-indole-3-acetic acid - INDOMETHACIN - Indocin - Indocin - Indometacin - indomethacin