Intraoral stimulation of salivary secretion with the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine as a mouth spray: a pilot study in healthy volunteers.
Dry mouth produces a deterioration in oral health and impairs quality of life. There is a need for a novel approach to the pharmacological treatment of dry mouth. With a view to enhancing the cholinergic drive on minor salivary glands, whilst at the same time minimising adverse systemic effects, the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine was therefore sprayed, in a fixed volume, onto the oral mucosa of seven healthy subjects. Three concentrations (0.5%, 1% and 2%) were tested. The mean salivary output over time (0-105 min) was higher than that of placebo (p<0.05), as the area under the curve increased by 61%, 91% and 66% at physostigmine 0.5%, 1% and 2%, respectively. Two subjects experienced nausea at the highest physostigmine concentration, thus reflecting systemic effects. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration were unaffected by the physostigmine treatment.
Khosravani
Nina
N
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Box 431, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, SE-413 90 Göteborg, Sweden.
Ekström
Jörgen
J
Birkhed
Dowen
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010830:Physostigmine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000187:drug effects; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013268:Stimulation, Chemical
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D010830:Physostigmine