Midazolam inhibited the growth and proliferation of FaDu cells. (A) Phase-contrast image of cells treated with 0 (control) and 100 μM mida zolam for 48 h (original magnification, ×200). (B) Dose- and time-dependent effect of midazolam on cell viability. FaDu cells were incubated with 0, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 and 100 μM midazolam for 24 and 48 h. The data are the mean ± SD (n=5), **P<0.01 compared with the control. Effects of midazolam on (C) cell proliferation by BrdU incorporation assay and (D) cell death by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. FaDu cells were incubated with 25, 50 and 100 μM midazolam for 48 h. The data are the mean ± SD (n=3), *P<0.05, **P<0.01, compared with the control.