title: Enhancing oral moisture using an extract of Capparis masaikai Levl.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a Capparis masaikai Levl. extract on enhancing oral moisture. Solutions of Capparis masaikai extract, citric acid, sodium chloride, and sucrose were dropped on the tongue dorsum of 20 healthy subjects aged 23-34 years. After swallowing each solution, the oral moisture was measured for 60 min using a saliva wetness tester and a moisture checker. The subjects recorded the degree of taste using a visual analog scale to examine the stimulating effect of each solution on salivation. The Capparis masaikai extract had a long-lasting moistening effect on both the tongue dorsum and buccal mucosa for up to 60 min. The weakly bittersweet taste of the extract was perceived stronger than the other taste elements. The results suggest that the Capparis masaikai extract is useful for enhancing oral moisture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Dentistry, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, 8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kitada
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ishikawa
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shibuya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakasugi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oho
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D031484:Capparis / Q000737:chemistry*; D019343:Citric Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012463:Saliva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012472:Salivation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012639:Seeds; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D013395:Sucrose / Q000737:chemistry; D013649:Taste; D013997:Time Factors; D014059:Tongue
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D019343:Citric Acid; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013395:Sucrose