Evaluation of the effectiveness of a chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) saliva substitute in the relief of xerostomia in elders.

Gerodontology. 2017 Mar;34(1):42-48. doi: 10.1111/ger.12220. Epub 2016 Jan 14. Morales-Bozo I1, Ortega-Pinto A2, Rojas Alcayaga G2, Aitken Saavedra JP2, Salinas Flores O3, Lefimil Puente C1, Lozano Moraga C1, Manríquez Urbina JM1, Urzúa Orellana B1. Author information 1 Institute for Research in Dental Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. 2 Department of Pathology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile. 3 Health Reference Centre of Peñalolén Cordillera Oriente, Santiago, Chile. Abstract OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of a chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and linseed (Linum usitatissimum) saliva substitute in the relief of xerostomia in older participants. BACKGROUND: In elders, xerostomia is a permanent and progressive condition that significantly affects their quality of life. The treatment for progressive xerostomia is currently restricted to palliative measures, and saliva substitutes are indicated. A lack of evidence on the effectiveness of the saliva substitutes in the relief of symptoms of xerostomia has been reported. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four elderly participants presenting xerostomia of diverse origin were selected. Herbal saliva substitute and carboxymethyl cellulose conventional saliva substitute were tested using a double-blind, randomised, cross-sectional clinical trial. RESULTS: Every participant of the study exhibited dry mouth sensation. A sensation of thick saliva was described in 59.5% of the participants. The need for liquid intake to swallow food, the sensation of difficulty in swallowing and the burning sensation in the tongue were observed in 54.1, 56.8 and 27.0% of the participants, respectively. The most prevalent diseases were hypertension, depressive symptoms and arthritis. Results of the clinical tests showed that the herbal saliva substitute produced a greater relief of dry mouth symptoms, thick saliva sensation and the sensation of difficulty in swallowing than the conventional substitute (Wilcoxon test p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: New chamomile- and linseed-based saliva substitute was effective in relieving xerostomia symptoms in older participants of this study. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S and The Gerodontology Association. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. KEYWORDS: chamomile; elderly; linseed; xerostomia