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Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder associated with dysbiosis and characterized by microbiologically related, host-mediated inflammation that leads to the damage of periodontal tissues including gingiva, connective tissues, and alveolar bone. The aim of this study was to develop an in situ gel consisting of piperine. Eight in situ gel formulations were designed by varying the concentration of deacylated gellan gum cross-linked with sodium tripolyphosphate, and poloxamer-407. The prepared gels were evaluated for gelation temperature, gelation time, viscosity, piperine-loading efficiency, and piperine release. Finally, the optimized formula was evaluated for anti-inflammatory effectiveness among human patients during a 14-day follow-up. The optimized in situ gel formulation exhibited a gelation temperature of 35 ± 1 °C, gelling of 36 ± 1 s, excellent syringeability, and piperine loading of 95.3 ± 2.3%. This formulation efficiently sustained in vitro drug release for up to 72 h. In vivo studies revealed an efficient sol-to-gel transformation of optimized in situ gel formulation at physiological conditions, permitting an efficient residence time of the formulation within a periodontitis pocket. Most importantly, a clinical study revealed that treatment with the optimized formulation elicited a significant reduction in the mean plaque score (p = 0.001), gingival index (p = 0.003), and pocket depth (p = 0.002), and exerted a potent anti-inflammatory potential, compared to the control group. Collectively, piperine-loaded in situ gel might represent a viable therapeutic approach for the management of gingival and periodontal diseases.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a major global public health challenge, and novel therapies are required to combat it. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been employed as delivery vehicles of anti-inflammatory drugs for RA therapy, and it has been recently realized that AgNPs have anti-inflammatory action on their own. However, their conventional synthesis processes might result in cytotoxicity and environmental hazards. Instead, the use of natural products as a reducing and stabilizing agent in the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles has arisen as an option to decrease the cytotoxic and environmental concerns associated with chemical synthesis of AgNPs. In this study, we challenged the efficacy of Commiphora mukul (guggul) aqueous extract as a reducing and/or capping agent for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. Guggul-mediated biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs) were characterized via UV-vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, their anti-arthritic potential was evaluated in an adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) model. The fabricated NPs showed an absorption peak at 412 nm, corresponding to the typical surface plasmon resonance band of AgNPs. The synthesized G-AgNPs were nearly spherical, with a particle size of 337.6 ± 12.1 nm and a negative surface charge (−18.9 ± 1.8 mV). In AIA rat model, synthesized G-AgNPs exerted a potent anti-inflammatory action, as manifested by a remarkable reduction in paw volume (>40%) along with elicitation of a minimal arthritic score, compared to control rats. In addition, when compared to arthritic rats, treatment with G-AgNPs efficiently restored the activity of antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, indicating the efficiency of synthesized G-AgNPs in alleviating the oxidative stress associated with RA. Finally, histological examination revealed comparatively lower inflammatory cells infiltration in ankle joint tissue upon treatment with G-AgNPs. Collectively, biosynthesized G-AgNPs might represent a plausible therapeutic option for the management of RA.

Formulation of FDT (fast dispersing tablets) of nebivolol was optimized and evaluated using simplex lattice design (SLD). The influence of type and concentration of three disintegrants viz.,Ac-Di-Sol, Primojel and Polyplasdone XL on hardness, friability and disintegration time of tablet was studied. Response surface plot and the polynomial equations were used to evaluate influence of polymer on the tablet properties. Results were statistically analyzed using ANOVA, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results reveal that fibrous integrity and optimal degree of substitution in Primojel and Ac-Di-Sol are mainly responsible for the hardness of the tablet. Use of Polyplasdone in higher percentage in tablet formulation may result in high friability. Increase in concentration of Ac-Di-Sol increases the disintegration time but increased concentration of Primojel in the tablet formulation decreases the disintegration time. This is also evident from model terms for disintegration time with a high 'F' value of 14.69 and 'p' value of 0.0031 (