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Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate methotrexate-loaded nanoemulgel for topical delivery in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Based on nanoemulsion composition, the pseudo ternary phase diagram was fabricated by using peanut oil, Tween 20 as the surfactant, and PEG 400 being used as a co-surfactant. The methotrexate-loaded nanoemulsion was formulated by using the spontaneous emulsification method. Badam gum was used as a gel matrix in the prepared nanoemulsion to form nanoemulgel. The methotrexate loaded nanoemulgel was characterized and evaluated for pH, particle size, physical appearance, viscosity, spreadability, TEM, drug content, diffusion study, release kinetics, and stability studies. Results: The nanoemulgel constituting 8.6% peanut oil, 34.4% of Tween 20 and PEG 400 as Smix (surfactant and co-surfactant mixture), 43% water, and 12.5% w/w badam gum was concluded as optimized formulation. The prepared nanoemulgel was translucent in nature having a particle size of 195.1nm and zeta potential of -0.278mV. Drug content and drug release for the optimized formulation were found to be 98.11±0.34% and 95.11±0.02% respectively. pH, viscosity, and spreadability were found to be optimum. Stability study data showed that the prepared nanoemulgel was stable at different temperatures varying from -25 to +45ºC. Conclusion: Methotrexate loaded nanoemulgel has been formulated for topical drug delivery for the management of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the prescription pattern of antimicrobial drugs in the department of ear, nose, throat (ENT) of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Guwahati. Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of ENT after getting approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee (No MC/190/2007/Pt – 11 December -18/18). It was a prospective observational study for a period of 6 months. Prescriptions were collected from the outdoor and indoor patients of ENT. Results: In the present study, the majority of the patients were male (64.1%). Mostly, the patients belonged to the age group of 31–60 years (52%). Pharyngitis (20.8%) was the most commonly encountered disease which was reported followed by ear discharge (16.2%) and acute suppurative otitis media (15.8%). Total number of antimicrobial drugs prescribed for 240 patients was 303, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid being the most common (66%). About 89.4% of the drugs were included in the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, 2019. Majority of the patients were prescribed only one drug. Conclusion: The drug prescribed commonly for ENT infections was amoxicillin-clavulanic acid combination. Around 71.6% of drugs were prescribed by their brand names. Intervention is needed to promote the use of generic drugs as these drugs are with the same composition and provide the same therapeutic benefit at reasonable price.

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of drugs used in acne vulgaris by measuring the severity of acne using the Global Acne Grading System score (GAGS) and Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) questionnaire score pre and post-drug therapy. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Dermatology after getting approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee (No MC/190/2007/Pt1/MAR-2019/PG/123) dated 10/04/2019. It was an observational study for a period of 1 y. 172 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into 4 grades depending on their clinical manifestation. The severity of acne vulgaris and the quality of life were measured using the GAGS scale and the CADI questionnaire, respectively at the first visit and at the follow-up visit in all the grades of acne vulgaris. A correlation was done between the GAGS and the CADI score at the follow-up visit in all grades of acne. Results: It was observed that the GAGS score and the CADI score was significantly improved at the F/U visit (p<0.05) as compared to baseline in all the 4 grades of acne. A correlation between GAGS score and QoL using CADI scale was done using Pearson Parametric Correlation Test. In none of the groups, the correlation was significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: We can conclude from our study that following treatment with drugs, the clinical severity of acne decreased and there was also a significant improvement in the quality of life of patients.

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare the analgesic activities of Curcuma longa Linn. in the experimental animals. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, after getting approval from the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (No MC/68F/2009/MAR-19/02). Healthy rodents weighing between 150 and 200 g were selected and randomly divided into five groups, each group consisting of six animals. Tail-flick analgesiometer was used to assess the analgesic activity of C. longa Linn. and ibuprofen in the experimental animals. Appropriate statistical analyses like Student’s t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: The mean reaction time (s) was prolonged on gradually increasing the dose of C. longa Linn. from 200 to 400 mg/kg. At 400 mg/kg dose C. longa Linn. produced similar analgesic activity as compared to ibuprofen (30 mg/kg). Conclusion: From the study, it can be concluded that curcumin has the capacity to attenuate pain, and when administered in high doses, may produce similar activity as other conventional NSAID’s.