The main purpose of the research is to develop and evaluate a dental gel containing a herbal medicine for the management of toothache. The ethanolic extract of aerial root of Ficus benghalensis was prepared and it was evaluated for organoleptice properties, pH and phytochemical screening. Antimicrobial activity of the extract was done against streptococcus mutans using well diffusion method. The gel was prepared using Carbopol, propylene glycol and clove oil as a permeation enhancer. Six gel formulations were prepared at two different grades and various concentration of Carbopol. The formulations were evaluated for different parameters such as appearance, pH, viscosity, spreadability. Theoptimizedbatchwas subjected to further studies via. drug content, stability testing, diffusion study to determine percent cumulative release of drug from gel formulations and antimicrobial study. From the antimicrobial study, it was observed the optimized formulation and marketed formulation produced almost equal zone of inhibition. The evaluation parameters of optimized batch indicate that the prepared dental gel is stable, good drug delivery system and contains antimicrobial agents for the prevention of dental caries and management of tooth ache.

Keywords : Aerial root, Ficus benghalensis, clove oil, dental gel, Carbopol