Background: The effect of indomethacin (INDO) on Ca2 + mobilization, cytotoxicity, apoptosis and caspase activation and the potential protective effect of quercetin (QUE), resveratrol (RES) and rutin (RUT) were determined in Caco-2 cells. Methods: Caco-2 cells were incubated with INDO in the presence or absence of QUE, RES or RUT. The concentrations of Ca 2 + in the cytosol (Fluo-3 AM) and mitochondria (Rhod-2 AM) were determined as well as the cytotoxicity (MTT reduction and LDH leakage), apoptosis (TUNEL) and caspase-3 and 9 activities. Results: INDO promoted Ca 2 + efflux from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), resulting in an early, but transient, increment of cytosolic Ca2 + at 3.5 min, followed by a subsequent increment of intra-mitochondrial Ca2 + at 24 min. INDO also induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and increased caspase activities and cytochrome c release. All these alterations were prevented by the inhibitors of the IP3R and RyR receptors, 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and dantrolene. QUE was the most efficient polyphenol in preventing Ca 2 + mobilization induced by INDO and all of its consequences including cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Conclusions: In Caco-2 cells, INDO stimulates ER Ca2 + mobilization, probably through the activation of IP3R and RyR receptors, and the subsequent entry of Ca2 + into the mitochondria. Polyphenols protected the cells against the Ca2 + mobilization induced by INDO and its consequences on cytotoxicity and apoptosis. General significance: These results confirm the possibility of using polyphenols and particularly QUE for the protection of the gastroduodenal mucosa in subjects consuming NSAIDs.