A traditional herbal formula, Yukmijihwang-tang, ameliorate oral moisture in the elderly complaining with xerostomia

摘要

Purpose: Xerostomia is common symptoms in the elderlyand this has been impaired quality of life continuously. Manyconventional treatments for xerostomia have limitations fortheir side effects. Hence, interest in treatment using the traditionalKorean medicine (TKM) has been rising. In TKM theory,the main pathology of xerostomia in the elderly is consideredas Yin-Deficiency (YD) and Yukmijihwang-tang (YJT) has beenused for treatment of YD. This study aimed to investigate theefficacy and safety of YJT for xerostomia in the elderly andevaluate the correlation the xerostomia and YD.Methods: The current study was randomized, placebocontrolled,double-blinded, two center trial conducted inKyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital and KyungHee University Hospital at Gangdong. Ninety-six subjects aged60-80 years with xerostomia for over 3 months were randomlyallocated to YJT and placebo group. These subjects alsopresented with score >40 on VAS for xerostomia and unstimulatedsalivary flow rate under 0.3 mL/min. The subjects andall researchers were blinded to the group assignment. YJT orplacebo was administered to each group for 8 weeks. Theprimary outcome was change in the scores of the VAS forxerostomia from 0 to 8 weeks.Results: Both YJT and placebo group had xerostomiarelievingeffect after 8 week administration by decreasingVAS for xerostomia and other xerostomia-related variables.In addition, 8 week-administration of YJT increased thelevel of oral moisture. The participants with BMI lower than29.37 kg/m2 showed improvement of VAS after 8 week treatmentin YJT group only. Therewere not any significant adverseevents related to YJT including SAE. In addition, xerostomiarelatedvariables had causal relationship with YDQ and Ig A.Conclusion: YJT could increase oral moisture status andimprove subjective symptom of dry mouth in the elderly withlower BMI and more YD tendency. Besides, the correlationbetween xerostomia and YD was reconfirmed.