Band 29, Heft 5

Rabbit, a member of the Lagomorpha order, is the closest phylogenetic relative to humans, next to primates. It possesses greater acceptability as a laboratory mammal than primates in terms of husbandry, breeding ease, cost effectiveness, and legal ethical conveniences. Moreover, as a laboratory animal, the rabbit also owns its advantages over mice or rats, in terms of phylogenetic resemblance to human, size, blood volume, responsiveness, and other congruences enabling them to better imitate human physiological characteristics in biomedical research. A specific research aspires to effectuate its outcome on a particular human age group, for which it is pivotal to select a laboratory rabbit of exact age, which will correlate with that specific age of a human, which is currently based on mere approximation. This article is the first ever scientific venture, focused to swap this approximation of laboratory rabbit age with accuracy by relating it with that of humans analyzing different phases of life individually. Considering the diminutive lifespan of rabbits compared to humans, the correlation of their age with respect to the entire lifespan, which we found out to be 45.625 days compared to one human year, is not enough. Thereby, like our previous articles that formulated concise relation of age of laboratory rats and mice with human age, in this article also, we aim to aid biomedical research specificity in the selection of laboratory model age, separately correlating different life phases of humans with that of rabbits, the second mostly used mammal in 2016 in the United States.

Research in rare diseases has contributed substantially toward the current understanding in the pathophysiology of the common diseases. However, medical needs of patients with rare diseases have always been neglected by the society and pharmaceutical industries based on their small numbers and unprofitability. The Orphan Drug Act (1983) was the first serious attempt to address the unmet medical needs for patients with rare diseases and to provide impetus for the pharmaceutical industry to promote orphan drug development. The process of drug development for rare diseases is no different from common diseases but involves significant cost and infrastructure. Further, certain aspect of drug research may not be feasible for the rare diseases. The drug-approving authority must exercise their scientific judgment and ensure due flexibility while evaluating data at various stages of orphan drug development. The emergence of patent cliff combined with the government incentives led the pharmaceutical industry to realize the good commercial prospects in developing an orphan drug despite the small market size. Indeed, many drugs that were given orphan designation ended up being blockbusters. The orphan drug market is projected to reach $178 billion by 2020, and the prospects of research and development in rare diseases appears to be quite promising and rewarding.

Background The use of Loranthus micranthus in folklore medicine for treatment of diabetes and its associated complications is a common practice around the world. The present study investigated this traditional affirmation by in vivo investigation into the effect of L. micranthus leaf extract on hepatic and renal, oxidative status and glucose metabolism in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods Diabetes mellitus was induced in adult male Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). The diabetic rats were thereafter treated orally once per day with 5 mg/kg gilbenclamide or L. micranthus leaf extract (100 or 200 mg/kg) and monitored for 14 days. Clinical observations, plasma biochemistry, hormonal profile, oxidative stress parameters, glucose metabolism enzymes and histopathologic examination of the liver and kidney were evaluated to monitor treatment-related effects of L. micranthus leaf extract in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Results Loranthus micranthus leaf extract administration significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia-mediated damage by decreasing the blood glucose level (45.9% and 84.7% on days 7 and 14 posttreatment, respectively), enhancing the antioxidant status, inhibiting lipid peroxidation and improving the architecture of the liver and kidney in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, intervention of L. micranthus leaf extract restored the liver and kidney function biomarkers and increased the plasma levels of triiodothyronine and thyroxine to normal control in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Conclusions The findings from this investigation provide credible scientific support for the traditional use of L. micranthus leaf extract in the treatment of diabetes and its associated complications.

Background Diabetic nephropathy and liver damage are important complications of diabetes mellitus (DM). Various factors, such as sirtuins (silent information regulators or SIRTs) are associated with these complications. Sirtuins are a family of NAD + -dependent proteins, and seven types of these can be found in mammalians. In this study, we evaluated the effects of aqueous garlic extract (G) on the expressions of SIRT1 and SIRT2 genes in the kidney and liver tissues of rats with types 1 and 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 36 male Wistar rats (230–280 g) were randomly divided into six groups: C: normal control rats, D1M: type 1 diabetic rats (induced with streptozotocin, STZ), D1M+G: type 1 diabetic rats that treated with garlic extract, D2M: type 2 diabetic rats (induced with STZ and niacinamide), D2M+G: type 2 diabetic rats treated with garlic extract, and G: normal rats that received garlic extract. At the end of the treatment time, kidney and liver tissue samples were collected from all rats. The SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expressions were determined by qRT-PCR. Results The SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expressions in the liver and kidney tissues of diabetic rats decreased significantly compared with those in the control rats (p<0.05). After treatment with garlic extract, the gene expressions also increased significantly compared with those in the diabetic rats and are close to normal level (p<0.05). Conclusions Garlic extract increased the SIRT1 and SIRT2 gene expressions in the livers and kidneys of diabetic rats. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic have been proven in many studies. Thus, it is possible that garlic – with its effects on this pathway of gene expression – can have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thus decreasing diabetic complications.

Background The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity is a critical public health problem for women. The negative effect of stress on memory and cognitive functions has been widely explored for decades in numerous research projects using a wide range of methodology. Deterioration of memory and other brain functions is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Estrogen fluctuations and withdrawal have myriad direct effects on the central nervous system that have the potential to influence cognitive functions. The present study aims to compare the effect of stress on the cognitive functions in overweight/obese women before and after menopause. Methods A total of 142 female subjects constituting women before menopause between the ages of 18 and 44 years and women after menopause between the ages of 45 and 60 years were included in the sample. Participants were categorized into overweight/obese groups based on the body mass index. The major tool perceived stress scale was used for measuring the perception of stress. On the basis of the stress scale measurement, each group was classified into with stress and without stress. Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III was used for measuring the cognitive functions. Results Premenopausal women with stress showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease in the cognitive parameters such as attention and orientation, fluency, language and visuospatial ability. Memory did not show any significant changes in this group. Whereas, in the postmenopausal stressed women, all the cognitive functions except fluency showed a significant (p<0.05) decrease. Conclusions Stress is a significant factor on the cognitive functions of obese and overweight women before and after menopause. Practice of yoga and encouragement in activities like gardening, embroidery, games and relaxation techniques should be recommended to prevent stress. Insights into the neurobiology before and after menopause can be gained from future studies examining the effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in relation to cognition and stress.

Background Aloe buettneri , Dicliptera verticillata , Hibiscus macranthus and Justicia insularis are medicinal plants used in the western region of Cameroon to cure infertility among women. This experiment was designed to compare the effect of the aqueous extracts of A. buettneri (AAB), D. verticillata (ADV), H. macranthus (AHM), J. insularis (AJI), their mixture (AME) and the extract obtained from the mixture of their powders (AMP) on some parameters of reproduction. Materials and methods High-performance liquid chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) was used to detect the constituents of different extracts. The extracts (50 mg/kg) were administered to PMSG-primed immature rats (10 rats/group) for 5 days. At the end of the treatment, five animals of each group were sacrificed and various biological markers of reproduction were recorded. The remaining animals were injected with 10 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) sacrificed 48 h later and the number of ovarian hemorrhagic points counted. Results Fifty-four compounds were found in the various extracts with 37 individually distributed among them and the remaining found in at least two extracts. As compared with the control, the AMP and AJI increased serum estradiol level by 2.36 and 2.23 times, respectively. The AMP was the only extract whose administration resulted in a significant increase (p<0.001) in the serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Compared with the other extract-treated rats, the AMP-treated rats showed the highest number of hemorrhagic points. Conclusions These findings provided evidence on the synergistic effect of compounds present in these plant extracts and supported the usage of the mixture in traditional medicine.

Background Statins therapy is effective in the prevention of cardiovascular events. However, its use is associated with skeletal muscle myopathy, which may be severe enough to discontinue statin therapy, thus exposing patients to more morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to assess the effect of L-carnitine on the skeletal muscle contractility in a rat model of statin-induced myopathy and to clarify its possible mechanisms. Methods Twenty-one female Sprague Dawley rats were used throughout this study. The rats were divided into the normal control group, statin-induced myopathy group and statin/L-carnitine-treated group. The assessment of gastrocnemius muscle contractility, plasma creatine kinase (CK) levels and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione) was also carried out done. Results The results of the current study suggest that simvastatin decreased the skeletal muscle mass and altered the muscle contractile properties. It also significantly increased plasma CK level and induced a state of oxidative stress state (high MDA, low GSH). Meanwhile, concurrent L-carnitine significantly reduced statin-induced myopathy and improved the oxidative stress markers and skeletal muscle contractile parameters. Conclusions Statin myopathy is postulated to be due to mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular oxidative stress, induction of apoptosis, reduction in the expression of chloride channel and its related conductance, in addition to the alteration of Ca 2+ homeostasis. L-carnitine has an antioxidant effect, reduces skeletal muscle atrophy and improves the skeletal muscle contractility in simvastatin-induced myopathy.

Background Continuous increase in drug resistance has hindered the control of malaria infection and resulted in multi-drug-resistant parasite strains. This, therefore, intensifies the search for alternative treatments with no or less side effects. Several histone deacetylase inhibitors have been characterised to possess anti-malaria activity; however, their further development as anti-malaria agents has not recorded much success. The present study investigated the anti-plasmodial activity of sodium acetate in Plasmodium berghei- infected mice, aiming at finding a better alternative source of malaria chemotherapy. Methods Thirty female Swiss albino mice were randomly distributed into six groups. Groups A (uninfected control) and B (infected control) received only distilled water. Group C (artesunate control) were infected and treated orally with 4 mg/kg artesunate on the first day, and subsequently 2 mg/kg artesunate. Groups D, E and F were infected and orally treated with 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg sodium acetate, respectively. Results Sodium acetate significantly lowered parasitaemia (p < 0.05) after 4 days post-treatment, and the parasite inhibition rate of 68.5% at 50 mg/kg compared favourably with the 73.3% rate of artesunate. Similarly, administration of 50 mg/kg sodium acetate improved serum total cholesterol relatively better than artesunate. Our results also revealed that sodium acetate does not interfere with liver function, as there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in both infected treated and uninfected mice. Conclusions This study shows that sodium acetate may be a safe alternative source of anti-malaria drugs. Its effect on the serum total cholesterol also predicts its ability in correcting malaria-induced metabolic syndromes.

Background Diabetes is a downregulator of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), resulting in reduced nitric oxide level and low expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by which nitric oxide level get reduced. In the present study, we examined the role of ANP in reduced nitric oxide level, which may be responsible in controlling diabetic nephropathy in rats. Methods Serum nitrite/nitrate ratio, blood urea nitrogen, protein in urine, urinary output, serum creatinine, serum cholesterol, kidney weight, kidney hypertrophy, renal cortical collagen content, thiobarbituric acid level, and antioxidant enzymatic activities were assessed. Results Treatment with lisinopril (1 mg/kg) significantly attenuated diabetes-induced elevated glucose level, cholesterol level, and protein in urine concentration. Whereas ANP at low dose (5 μg/kg) has no effect on elevated markers of diabetic nephropathy, treatment with intermediate (10 μg/kg) and high-dose ANP (20 μg/kg) significantly attenuated the diabetes-induced increased blood urea nitrogen, protein in urine, urinary output, creatinine, cholesterol, kidney weight, kidney hypertrophy, renal collagen content, and thiobarbituric acid level and reduced endogenous antioxidant enzymatic activities. High dose of ANP was more effective in attenuating the diabetes-induced nephropathy, renal oxidative stress, and antioxidant enzyme activity as compared with the treatment with low-dose ANP (5 μg/kg), intermediate-dose ANP (10 μg/kg), or lisinopril (1 mg/kg, employed as standard agent). Administration of erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl)adenine, a phosphodiesterase-2 inhibitor (3 mg/kg), in combination with high-dose ANP significantly attenuated high-dose ANP induced ameliorative effects in diabetic nephropathy. Conclusions Taken together, these results indicate that diabetes-induced oxidative stress and lipid alterations may be responsible for the induction of nephropathy in diabetic rats. ANP at intermediate and high doses have prevented the development of diabetes-induced nephropathy by reducing the cholesterol level, protein in urine concentration, and renal oxidative stress and by increasing the nitrite/nitrate ratio, certainly providing the direct nephroprotective action.

Background Diabetes mellitus causes low-grade chronic inflammation which leads to the development of long-term complications. Oral magnesium (Mg) intake amongst other effects was reported to reduce the levels of inflammatory markers. This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and insulin secretory activities in experimental type-2 diabetic rats (n=32) orally treated with Mg. Methods Experimental type-2 diabetic rats were induced with high fat diet and alloxan (50 mg/kg, single i.p.) for over 10 weeks prior to the experimental procedures. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups: control, untreated experimental diabetics, and experimental diabetics treated orally with either metformin (Met) (250 mg/kg), or Mg (250 mg/kg), respectively, for 14 days. The blood glucose (BG) levels were monitored before experimental induction of diabetes and thereafter on days 1, 7, 10, and 14, respectively. Serum insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and lipid profile were assessed using laboratory kits while pancreatic beta cell function (BCF) and insulin resistance were estimated using homeostasis model assessment equations. Results Significant increase in the BG level was observed in all experimental diabetic groups on day 1 compared to controls. On day 14, BG, BCF, triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein levels were increased while the high-density lipoprotein level was reduced in untreated diabetics compared to other groups. Insulin and insulin resistance were increased in all groups compared to control. Serum insulin and IL-6 were reduced while CRP was elevated in diabetic treated groups (Met and Mg) compared to untreated diabetics. Conclusions This study shows a hypoglycemic, lipid regulatory, insulin stimulatory, and anti-inflammatory effect of oral Mg treatment in experimental type-2 diabetic rats.

Background Antimalarial drugs have been shown to predispose the stomach to ulceration in rats. However, their role in the modulation of gastric ulcer healing is not known. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of artemisinin-based combination therapies on ulcer healing. Methods Gastric kissing ulcers were induced in 40 male albino rats (150–180 g) using 0.2 mL 50% acetic acid. One day after the ulcer induction, experimental rats were divided into four groups and treated once daily orally for 3 days as follows: (1) normal saline, (2) artemether-lumefantrine (2/12 mg/kg), (3) artesunate-amodiaquine (4/10 mg/kg), and (4) artesunate (2 mg/kg) only. A fifth group of 10 rats served as overall control with no ulcer induced and no treatment given. Ulcer healing was determined on days 4 and 7 post induction using ulcer score and planimetry. Results Artesunate decreased ulcer severity by 12.5% and 52.0% on days 4 and 7, respectively. Significant increases in severity were observed in rats treated with artemether-lumefantrine (25.0% and 40.0%) and artesunate-amodiaquine (50.0% and 95.0%). Lipid peroxidation was decreased by artesunate by day 7 (27%; p<0.05) but increased in artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine administered rats (63.6% and 55%; p<0.05). The activity of superoxide dismutase was reduced by artesunate-amodiaquine on day 7 (22%; p<0.05) but no effect in the artemether-lumefantrine treatment. Neutrophil infiltration, total leukocyte count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, and C-reactive protein values were significantly increased in the artemether-lumefantrine and artesunate-amodiaquine treated groups when compared with the untreated ulcer control group (p<0.05). These variables were all reduced by artesunate (p<0.05). Conclusions This study revealed that although artesunate may be beneficial in gastric ulcer healing, its combination with either lumefantrine or amodiaquine may delay healing of gastric mucosal injury.

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is the dose limiting side effect of many anticancer drugs. Flavonoids exhibit good antinociceptive effect in animal models. Their efficacy against different types of nociception has been documented. The present study investigated the effect of flavonol (3-hydroxy flavone), 3′,4′-dimethoxy flavonol, 6,3′-dimethoxy flavonol, 7,2′-dimethoxy flavonol and 7,3′-dimethoxy flavonol against paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice. Methods: A single dose of paclitaxel (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to induce peripheral neuropathy in mice and the manifestations of peripheral neuropathy such as tactile allodynia, cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were assessed 24 h later by employing Von Frey hair aesthesiometer test, acetone bubble test and hot water tail immersion test, respectively. The test compounds were prepared as a suspension in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose and were administered s.c. in various doses (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg). The above behavioral responses were assessed prior to and 30 min after drug treatment. In addition, the effect of test compounds on proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) and free radicals was investigated by using suitable in vitro assays. Results: A dose-dependent attenuation of tactile allodynia, cold allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia was evidenced in mice treated with flavonol derivatives. The test compounds inhibited TNF-α, IL-1β and free radicals in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusions: These results revealed that flavonol and its dimethoxy derivatives ameliorated the manifestations of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice. The inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines and free radicals could contribute to this beneficial effect.

Background There is paucity of information on the adverse effects of alcohol – chloroquine interaction on hematological parameters. To investigate the effects of concurrent administration of chloroquine and ethanol on hematologic parameters of adult Wistar rats and the ameliorative role of vitamin B 12 and folic acid supplementation on any adverse effects. Methods Some 30 adult Wistar rats weighing 120–200 g were assigned to six major groups of five rats each according to their weights. The control group A was fed with normal rat chow and water. The experimental groups B–F were administered with drugs for a period of 7 days as follows: B (chloroquine only); C (ethanol only); D (chloroquine+ethanol); E (chloroquine+ethanol+vitamin B 12 ); and F (chloroquine+ethanol+vitamin B 12 +folic acid). Blood samples were collected from each animal by cardiac puncture to determine red blood cell (RBC) count, white blood cell (WBC) count, packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean cell volume (MCV), and mean cell hemoglobin (MCH). Liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were analyzed to test for liver function. Results Group D indicated lower PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH, and greater WBC compared with control. Group E indicated greater (p<0.05) PCV, Hb, and RBC compared with Group D. Greater (p<0.05) MCV and MCH, and lower WBC and RBC were observed in Group F compared with Group D. Furthermore, Group D rats indicated greater (p<0.05) mean AST and ALT compared with Groups A, E, and F. Conclusions Concurrent administration of chloroquine and alcohol indicated adverse effects on hematologic parameters of Wistar rats. The administration of vitamin B 12 and folic acid appeared to ameliorate these adverse effects.

Background Brown adipose tissue (BAT) contains both α- and β-adrenergic receptors. In the literature, the activity of α-adrenoreceptors is less documented, and their functions still remain puzzling. The present investigation has been undertaken to understand α-adrenoreceptors’ activity and their relation between uncoupling protein 1 ( UCP1 ) mRNA expression and cyclic AMP (cAMP) generation in BAT. Methods BAT precursor cells from young mice were grown in culture. Cells were exposed to norepinephrine (NE) and other agents. RNA was isolated after harvesting the cells, and northern blot was performed. Filters were exposed to film after hybridization with nick-translated complementary DNA probes, and results were evaluated by scanning. Amersham assay kit was used for cAMP measurement. Results Treatment of prazosin and yohimbine separately with 1 μM of NE shows stimulation of UCP1 mRNA expression 106% and 154%, respectively, whereas with that of both drugs shows only 76%. cAMP generation occurs 282% with prazosin, 100% with yohimbine, and 382% with both drugs with 1 μM of NE, whereas it is 310%, 40%, and 358%, respectively, with 10 μM of NE. Conclusions Stimulation of thermogenesis after treatment of prazosin and NE may be due to the inhibition of phosphodiesterase enzyme and with yohimbine and NE indicates the possibility of inhibition of the inhibitory effect of α 2 - and stimulation of α 1 -receptors. Increase of cAMP concentration with yohimbine and both drugs with NE are not correlated to UCP1 mRNA expression. This indicates that the relationship between cAMP elevation and stimulation of thermogenesis is not simple. This study clearly shows the interaction between β- and α-adrenoreceptor activities.

Background The prevalence of obesity is reported to be increasing owing to the high intake of dietary fat and is a predisposing risk factor with associated complex metabolic syndromes in the human population. Preclinical rodent models play a pivotal role in understanding the pathogenesis of obesity and development of new treatment strategies for humans. High-fat-diet (HFD)-induced rodents are used for chronic obesity models owing to their quick adaptation to high-fat diets and rapid body weight gain and different rats (Wistar Sprague-Dawley and Lewis) have been used by various researchers. However, the selection of appropriate stock contributes to the translation of clinically linked disease phenotypes to preclinical animal models. Methods The study was conducted using two commonly used rat stocks Hsd:Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Crl:Charles River (CD) to develop a chronic high-fat-diet-induced obesity model (DIO) to explore the underlying mechanisms of obesity and its utilization in drug discovery and development during preclinical stages. In addition two high-fat diets of different composition were evaluated (D12327; 40% kcal fat and D12492; 60% kcal fat) for their potential to induce obesity using these two stocks. Results A differential sensitivity to HFD was observed in body weight gain fat mass composition and obesity-linked symptoms such as impaired glucose tolerance insulin and leptin levels. The comparative research findings of Hsd:SD and Crl:CD rat stocks suggested that Crl:CD rats are more prone to diet-induced obesity and its associated complications. Conclusions Crl:CD rats were found to be a suitable model for obesity over Hsd:SD when considering the important hallmarks of metabolic disorders that may be utilized for obesity-related research.

Background Cilia are involved in several physiologic processes, and at least a single primary cilium can be found on nearly every cell in the human body. Various factors, such as pH, temperature, exposure to medications and toxins can impact ciliary function as is manifested by changes in the ciliary beat frequency. Those with ciliary dyskinesia may also have congenital cardiac malformations and may require care in a cardiac intensive care unit. This study investigates the effect on the ciliary beat frequency of medications frequently used in a cardiac intensive care unit. Methods The ciliated epithelial cells were obtained via nasal swab from a relatively healthy individual. These cells were cultured for 24 h. Video microscopy was then employed to determine the ciliary beat frequency at baseline and then at 15, 30, 60 and 90 min after exposure to either normal saline (control) or one of several medications. The ciliary beat frequency at each time point was then compared to the ciliary beat frequency at the same time point in the control sample as well as the baseline value for that particular sample. Results Epinephrine increased the ciliary beat frequency compared to the baseline and the controls up to 30 min and then subsequently led to a significant decrease in ciliary beat frequency at 90 min. On the one hand, norepinephrine, dexmedetomidine, procainamide, propranolol and enalapril all decreased ciliary beat frequency significantly throughout the 90-min observation period. On the other hand, Milrinone significantly increased the ciliary beat frequency throughout the observation period, while heparin had no impact on ciliary beat frequency. Conclusions The medications frequently used in cardiac intensive care unit impact ciliary function, with most being ciliodepressant. Further investigation is needed to determine the clinical impacts and whether these effects are exaggerated in those with ciliary dyskinesia.

Background Local sustained-release drug delivery systems increase the substantivity of drugs in the oral environment and subsequently enhance their therapeutic effects. This study sought to compare the effects of two commercially available varnishes and one experimental chlorhexidine (CHX) varnish on formation of Streptococcus mutans biofilm. The solubility rates of the varnishes were evaluated as well. Methods Standard acrylic discs were fabricated and divided into groups based on the varnish applied to the disc surfaces, namely, V-varnish, Pascal, and experimental CHX varnish. The effects of the varnishes on S. mutans biofilm were assessed after 48 h. Bacterial growth on the discs was evaluated by colony count and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Solubility was assessed by immersing the samples in phosphate buffered saline and recording their weight changes at different times. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Results In the Pascal and experimental varnish groups, the total number of bacteria did not differ from that in the negative control group. The SEM findings confirmed the aforementioned results. Solubility varied significantly among the materials. V-varnish was detached from the surfaces after 2 days. No significant weight change was noted in the experimental varnish group at 14 days, while Pascal varnish showed gradual weight loss from the 5th day to the 10th day and had a plateau thereafter. Conclusions Biofilm formation was inhibited by the Pascal and experimental varnishes but not by the V-varnish. The highest acceptable rate of solubility was observed in the Pascal samples.