الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Xerostomia, the subjective feeling of dry mouth, is a symptom most frequently associated with alterations in salivary quality and quantity due to certain diseases, medications, and radiation therapy. However, in about 20% of those experiencing xerostomia, the cause is unknown. Treatment options for the relief of the symptoms of dry mouth include systemic administration of parasympathomimetics and acetyl- cholinesterase inhibitors. Although these categories of drugs produce saliva, the systemic use is often associated with a number of adverse effects. Therefore, this investigation deals with the principle of treatment by local pharmacological stimulation of minor salivary glands using a cholinesterase inhibitor, physostigmine In the present study, topically applied phsostigmine gel to the buccal and labial mucosa was used as a single does of 2mg/ml in twenty dry mouth patients and ten age and sex matched healthy volunteers. Qualitative and quantitative measurements of the saliva volumes were recorded to evaluate the effectiveness of physostigmine gel. It was found that topical application of physostigmine gel in dry mouth patients produced about four fold relief in feeling of mouth and lip dryness, concomitant with a three fold increase in the volume of saliva. Moreover, its topical use was well tolerated by patients and then allowed the side effects of systemic dosing to be avoided.