Meloxicam (Metacam) is a Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug. The mechanism of action of meloxicam is as a Cyclooxygenase Inhibitor. The chemical classification of meloxicam is Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Compounds.

COX-2:0.49 µM, COX-1:36.6 µM

In horses, administration of Meloxicam significantly reduced lameness at both 8 and 24 hours post-injection and showed a tendency to decrease exudation. Compared to placebo, Meloxicam markedly inhibited the release of prostaglandin E2 and substance P in the synovial fluid 8 hours post-injection and reduced bradykinin release at 24 hours. Additionally, Meloxicam decreased average matrix metalloproteinase activity in the equine system at both 8 and 24 hours post-administration. Horses treated with Meloxicam or phenylbutazone showed improved postoperative pain and clinical outcomes compared to those treated with saline solution (SS). Meloxicam also induced a substantial infiltration of neutrophils in ischemic lesion tissues in horses. In dogs, Meloxicam significantly reduced concentrations of prostaglandin E2 in the blood and synovial fluid on days 7 and 21 post-administration, with no significant effect on thromboxane B2 (TXB2) levels in the blood or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in the gastric mucosa. Furthermore, Meloxicam inhibited tumor growth and pulmonary metastasis of LM-8 cells in mice.

Meloxicam induces apoptosis in MG-63 cell cultures, concurrently upregulating both Bax mRNA and protein levels. It significantly reduces colony size in HCA-7 and Moser-S cells. While it markedly inhibits colony formation and tumor growth in HCA-7 cells, Meloxicam shows no effect on the growth of COX-2 negative HCT-116 cells. Furthermore, Meloxicam suppresses PGE(2) production, proliferation, and invasiveness, particularly in MG-63 cells expressing relatively higher levels of COX-2.