Effects of various penetration enhancers on percutaneous absorption of piroxicam from emulgels

A suitable emulgel formulation of piroxicam was prepared and its percutaneous permeation was investigated using Wistar rat skin and diffusion cell technique. The concentrations of the drug in receptor phase of diffusion cells were measured using HPLC method. The effect of three types of penetration enhancers (Myrj 52, cineol and Transcutol P) with different concentrations on transdermal permeation of the drug was also evaluated. Flux, Kp and enhancement ratios (ERs) of piroxicam in the presence of enhancers was measured and compared with emulgel base alone and simple commercial gel. The results showed a significant enhancement in the flux from emulgel base compared to hydroalcoholic gel formulation (9.91 folds over simple gel). The highest enhancement ratio (ER=3.11) was observed for Myrj 52 at the concentration of 0.25%. Higher concentrations of Myrj 52did not show any enhancement in the drug flux due to micelle formation and solubilization of the drug by micelles. The increase in solubility, in turn, increases the saturated concentration and reduces the thermodynamic activity of the drug. Transcutol® P with concentrations higher than 0.25% w/w showed burst transportation of the drug through the skin. All concentrations of cineol and Transcutol did not show any enhancing effects over emulgel base alone (ER <1)

Comparison of the natural polymer of Plantago psyllium as tablet binder and disintegrant with other common pharmaceutical excipients

Objectives: Plantago psyllium is one of the native plants in Iran and produces a kind of polymer which is non toxic and possesses no side effects for patients. Taking safety into account and high amount of the polymer produced by the plant are the most important issues that need to be addressed. In this investigation, a comparative evaluation of the polymer extracted from Plantago psyllium as tablet disintegrant and binder was made with corn starch, Ac-Disol and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in formulation of acetaminophen tablet. Methods: In this investigation the disintegration and binding properties of the polymer is compared with common pharmaceutical excipients at presence of lactose as water soluble filler or dicalcium phosphate (DCP) as insoluble filler. The best tabletting pressure of the formulation containing lactose or DCP as fillers and the polymer or starch or PVP as binder were studied. Results: The results demonstrated the best pressure with the least release time and the suitable hardness was about 100 bar. The best percentage of the polymer was achieved by formulating varied amount of it. The appropriate amount of the polymer was 5 %. Conclusion: In conclusion The natural polymer extracted from Plantago psyllium was comparable with corn starch from release time and tablet hardness points of view and even in some cases was better than starch

The Effect of Submucosal Injection of Corticosteroids on Pain Perception and Quality of Life after Root Canal Treatment of Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of local infiltration of corticosteroids on postoperative pain and quality of life (QOL) in teeth with irreversible pulpitis after 1-visit endodontic treatment. METHODS: In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 242 healthy patients with irreversible pulpitis undergoing 1-visit endodontic treatment were included. Forty-five patients were lost during the follow-up, and the remaining 197 patients were followed for 7 days (67 patients in the placebo group, 66 in the long-acting betamethasone group, and 64 in the dexamethasone group). The patients marked their level of pain and QOL before treatment and at 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, and 72-hour and 7-day postoperative intervals using a questionnaire. Freidman and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis. P </= .05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The pain was more severe in the placebo group compared with the other groups at all time intervals. A significant increase was observed in pain severity after 12 hours in all 3 groups. In general, the pain was less severe in the dexamethasone group compared with the betamethasone group at 6-, 12-, and 24-hour intervals. The pain severity was similar in both groups at 48 hours, and it was less severe in the long-acting betamethasone group compared with the dexamethasone group after 72 hours and 7 days. There were no significant differences in the betamethasone and dexamethasone groups in pain intensity between males and females. Moreover, overall pain perception was higher in the mandible than in the maxilla. There was an inverse and significant relationship between pain severity and QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Infiltration of long-acting betamethasone and dexamethasone resulted in decreased postoperative pain experience. Dexamethasone was more effective in alleviating pain within the first 24-hour period after treatment. Infiltration of long-acting betamethasone and dexamethasone exhibited the same efficacy in 48 hours. The efficacy of long-acting betamethasone in pain relief lasted for 7 days. The QOL in the 2 groups receiving corticosteroids was higher than that in the placebo group