PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FLUFENAMIC ACID AGAINST CHLOROQUINE-INDUCED OXIDATIVE AND NEUROCHEMICAL IMPAIRMENT IN COCHLEAR GLIAL CELL CULTURE

Despite its efficacy against malaria, chloroquine has been linked to ototoxicity, potentially affecting the inner ear`s hair cells, spiral ganglion neurons, and glial cells. Our recent findings demonstrate that chloroquine induces Reactive Oxygen Species and leads to Schwann Glial Cell (SGC) death, which can trigger neuronal death and hearing loss. Regulation of ion channels by ROS suggests that ion channel blockers may mitigate chloroquine-induced toxicity. Thus, since Flufenamic Acid (FFA) has been shown to be a potent ion channel antagonist and significantly reduce neuronal cell death caused by excitotoxicity in vitro, we aim to investigate the potential protective effects of FFA against chloroquine-induced toxicity in SGCs and explore its underlying mechanisms.