Objective: The main motive is to develop proniosomes loaded orabase for enhanced permeation and prolonged release of aceclofenac for oro dental conditions.Methods: Various aceclofenac (ACL) proniosomal gels were formulated employing various surfactants, span 60 was superior and significant for loading into orabase. The formulations were scrutinized for entrapment efficiency, optical microscopy, in vitro diffusion and release studies, mucoadhesive strength, ex-vivo permeation studies and drug-excipient interactions were determined by FTIR spectroscopy.Results: Considering best entrapment efficiency with span 60 (97.60±1.85) and optimum vesicle shape, along with prolonged drug permeation (45% for 24 h) the formulation F(ACL)1 was selected and optimized for loading into orabase. The F(ACL)1 loaded orabase exhibited significant prolonged release over 14 h, and permeation profiles exhibited nearly two-fold increased flux in comparison with control. Good mucoadhesive strength was observed for proniosomal orabase 6370 dynes/cm2. No evidence of incompatibility amongst formulation components from FTIR studies. SEM images revealed the particle size range from 136 µm to 236 µm for proniosomal orabase.Conclusion: Orabase can be an effective carrier for proniosomes with enhanced permeation and prolonged release for oro-dental conditions.

BACKGROUND Topical anaesthesia is fundamental in enhancing pain control during the process of dental injections. The study compared the effect of cooled and uncooled topical anaesthetic gel before infiltration anaesthesia in assessing pain perception in paediatric patients undergoing dental treatment procedures. METHODS This is a split-mouth study where 16 children aged between 8 and 10 years who required bilateral local anaesthesia administration for various dental procedures were selected. Before infiltration anaesthesia, topical anaesthetic gel cooled to 40 C was applied on one side in the first visit followed by application of uncooled gel on the contralateral side in the subsequent visit. The patients were asked to individually rate their pain experience on each side using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (WB-FPRS). Anxiety was assessed using pulse oximeter and FLACC scale (face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability). Data was analysed statistically using the paired ‘t’-test and a P value less than or equal to 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS Patients reported less pain on Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale by using cooled topical anaesthetic gel. Discomfort and anxiety levels were also seen to be low when assessed using pulse oximeter and FLACC Scale for the same group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Cooling the soft tissue site with anaesthetic gel helped reduce pain perception during infiltration in children and was seen to be a more feasible technique. Hence this technique can be used as a successful adjunct to the local anaesthesia administration prior to dental procedures. KEY WORDS Anaesthesia, Cooling, Topical Gel, Injection, Pain

BACKGROUND Preterm labour and delivery remains a major cause of prenatal morbidity and mortality.¹ Numerous drugs and interventions have been used to prevent and inhibit the preterm labour but none have been found to be completely effective with the choice being further limited by troublesome side effects. Tocolysis, the pharmacologic inhibition of uterine contractions, is currently the principal preterm birth preventive measure. The aim of this study was to compare the tocolytic efficacy of Isoxsuprine and Nifedipine in the treatment of preterm labour. Maternal side effects and neonatal outcome were also evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a prospective randomised study. 120 antenatal cases with 28-36 weeks of gestation with painful intermittent uterine contractions were considered for the study. Subjects were randomly allotted into two groups-Group A (Isoxsuprine) and Group B (Nifedipine) 60 patients each. Main outcomes include prolongation of pregnancy, maternal side effects and neonatal outcome were compared. RESULTS Baseline characteristics were well matched in both study groups. Success rate with Nifedipine was found to be 96% as compared to Isoxsuprine which was 75%. Maternal side effects like hypotension (13.33%) and tachycardia (6.66%) were common in Isoxsuprine group, while facial flushing was seen in 16.66% patients in Nifedipine group. Neonatal outcome was similar in the both groups.