Kontogiannopoulos Konstantinos N, Kapourani Afroditi, Gkougkourelas Ioannis, Anagnostaki Maria-Emmanouela, Tsalikis Lazaros, Assimopoulou Andreana N, Barmpalexis Panagiotis
Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Implant Biology, School of Dentistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Aug 10;16(8):1136. doi: 10.3390/ph16081136.
Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is a widespread oral health malfunction characterized by decreased salivary flow. This condition results in discomfort, impaired speech and mastication, dysphagia, heightened susceptibility to oral infections, and ultimately, a diminished oral health-related quality of life. The etiology of xerostomia is multifaceted, with primary causes encompassing the use of xerostomic medications, radiation therapy to the head and neck, and systemic diseases such as Sjögren's syndrome. Consequently, there is a growing interest in devising management strategies to address this oral health issue, which presents significant challenges due to the intricate nature of saliva. Historically, natural products have served medicinal purposes, and in contemporary pharmaceutical research and development, they continue to play a crucial role, including the treatment of xerostomia. In this context, the present review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding natural compounds and extracts for xerostomia treatment, paving the way for developing novel therapeutic strategies for this common oral health issue.
口干症，通常称为口干，是一种普遍存在的口腔健康功能障碍，其特征是唾液分泌减少。这种情况会导致不适、言语和咀嚼功能受损、吞咽困难、口腔感染易感性增加，最终导致口腔健康相关生活质量下降。口干症的病因是多方面的，主要原因包括使用导致口干的药物、头颈部放射治疗以及诸如干燥综合征等全身性疾病。因此，人们越来越关注制定管理策略来解决这一口腔健康问题，由于唾液的复杂性，这带来了重大挑战。从历史上看，天然产物一直用于药用，在当代药物研发中，它们继续发挥着关键作用，包括用于治疗口干症。在此背景下，本综述旨在概述目前关于用于治疗口干症的天然化合物和提取物的知识现状，为针对这一常见口腔健康问题开发新的治疗策略铺平道路。
