Design and evaluation of ocular hydrogel containing combination of ofloxacin and dexamethasone for the treatment of conjunctivitis

Abstract Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, which covers the white part of the eyeball. It can be caused by allergies, bacterial or viral infection. In situ hydrogels are three-dimensional hydrophilic cross-linked network of polymers. In situ hydrogel provided better therapeutic index when compared to conventional treatment. The present work describes the formulation and evaluation of ofloxacin and dexamethasone based on the concept of pH triggered in situ gelation. Carbopol 934p was used as the gelling agent in combination with HPMC, as a viscosity-enhancing agent, benzalkonium chloride as preservative, sodium chloride as tonicity adjusting agent. The prepared formulations were liquid at the low pH and underwent rapid transition into viscous gel at the pH of the tear fluid. Formulations were evaluated for various rheological, in vitro and in vivo release characteristics. Infrared spectroscopy studies showed that there were no interactions between the drug and polymers. Viscosity of the prepared hydrogels lies in the optimum range and drug was released up to 85 % as the end of 13 h. The prepared in situ hydrogel was sterile, non-irritant to the eye. The present study indicated that it is possible to develop safe and physiologically effective in situ hydrogel which is patient compliant.

Treatment of segmental tibial bone loss by distraction osteogenesis

To assess the clinical outcome of reconstruction of segmental tibial defects by the technique of bone transport. This prospective, quasi-experimental study was conducted in Lady Reading Hospital and private hospitals of Peshawar, Pakistan from October 2009 to September 2011. Segmental losses of tibia diaphysis in 32 patients were 'regenerated' by bone transport. Radiological results were excellent in 24 [75%], good in 3 [9%], fair in 4 [12%] and poor in 1 [3%] patient. Clinical results were excellent in 19 [59%], good in 7 [22%], fair in 5 [16%] and poor in 1 [3%] patient. During follow-up there were 9 obstacles of pin/wire infections and 7 problems which required surgical intervention. At the last follow-up there were 6 true complications. The average fixator time [external fixator index] was 25.9 weeks and the average bone healing time was 26.1 weeks. Distraction osteogenesis may be the best biological method of restoring the integrity of a bone in segmental bone loss

Efficacy of a herbal extract gel in the treatment of gingivitis: A clinical study.

Background: Chronic gingivitis is the most prevalent in all dentate animals. Regular methods for controlling it have been found to be ineffective, which have paved the way for the use of herbal products as an adjunctive to mechanical therapy as they are free to untoward effects and hence can be used for a long period of time. Objective: The antigingivitis effect of a gel containing pomegranate extract was evaluated using a 21-day trial in patients with chronic gingivitis. Materials and Methods: Forty patients participated in this randomized clinical study, carried out in four phases of 7 days each over 21 days. The patients were randomly assigned to four groups: First group was treated with mechanical debridement and an experimental gel and the second group with mechanical debridement and a control gel; the third group wasn’t subjected to mechanical debridement and only experimental gel was used. The fourth group was treated with control gel only. All the groups were subjected to various clinical and microbiological parameters to evaluate the antiplaque and antigingivitis effect of the pomegranate extract. Results: The group which used the pomegranate gel along with mechanical debridement showed signifi cant improvement in all the clinical and microbiological parameters included in the study when compared with the other three groups. Conclusion: Hence it can be concluded that the pomegranate gel when used as an adjunct with mechanical debridement was effi cient in treating gingivitis.