Physicochemical Characteristics of Arginine Enriched NaF Varnish: An In Vitro Study

• Main Authors: Mohammed Nadeem Bijle, Manikandan Ekambaram, Edward Lo, Cynthia Yiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
• Series: Polymers
• Subjects: arginine; caries; fluorides; prevention; varnish
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/12/12/2998

The in vitro study objectives were to investigate the effect of arginine (Arg) incorporation in a 5% sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish on its physical and chemical properties including F/Arg release. Six experimental formulations were prepared with L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-arginine monohydrochloride at 2%, 4%, and 8% <i>w/v</i> in a 5% NaF varnish, which served as a control. The varnishes were subjected to assessments for adhesion, viscosity, and NaF extraction. Molecular dynamics were simulated to identify post-dynamics total energy for NaF=Arg/Arg>NaF/Arg<NaF concentrations. The Arg/F varnish release profiles were determined in polyacrylic lactate buffer (pH-4.5; 7 days) and artificial saliva (pH-7; 1 h, 24 h, and 12 weeks). Incorporation of L-Arg in NaF varnish significantly influences physical properties ameliorating retention (<i>p</i> < 0.001). L-Arg in NaF varnish institutes the Arg-F complex. Molecular dynamics suggests that NaF>Arg concentration denotes the stabilized environment compared to NaF<Arg (<i>p</i> < 0.001). The 2% Arg-NaF exhibits periodic perennial Arg/F release and shows significantly higher integrated mean F release than NaF (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Incorporating 2% L-arginine in 5% NaF varnish improves its physical properties and renders a stable matrix with enduring higher F/Arg release than control.