Multifunctional artificial saliva preparation – challenges and needs

Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis not only within the oral cavity but also in further sections of the gastrointestinal tract. Pleiotropic properties of saliva include participation in the digestion of carbohydrates, cleansing and moisturizing the oral cavity, and maintaining the composition of the oral microbiome. The result of impaired function of the salivary gland is reduced salivation – hyposalivation, leading to dry mouth – xerostomia. It is established that numerous physiological factors (age, sex, weight change) and pathological factors (polytherapy, head and neck cancer, coexisting diseases such as diabetes, depression, cardiovascular diseases) lead to the reduction in saliva secretion, and in effect, causing a dry mouth. Treatment of salivary secretion disorders involves pharmacological therapy (including hormone therapy) or replacement therapy which based on the use of saliva substitutes. In the case of disturbances in the secretion of natural saliva, the application of the artificial saliva preparations should support the chewing processes, moisturize the oral cavity, and fulfill the biological functions of saliva. However, to date, on the pharmaceutical market, there are no saliva substitutes that meet the biological criteria and maintaining favorable physicochemical properties and rheological parameters. Taking into account the problems of the patients which are burden by impaired salivary secretion, the aim of our research was to attempt to develop an artificial saliva preparation that reflecting as much as possible the properties of natural saliva, both in terms of mechanical and biological properties. As part of the research, the chemical composition was developed and a detailed study of the physicochemical and rheological parameters of artificial saliva preparations containing mucins as well as their microbiological and biocompatibility assessment, at in vitro level were carried out.