Objectives: Increasing numbers of patients present at dental offices complaining of a dry mouth. It is necessary to manage these patients by controlling salivation and maintaining moisture in the oral cavity. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a plant extract on enhancing oral moisture. Methods: One milliliter of each solution (Capparis masaikai extract, citric acid, sodium chloride, and sucrose) was dropped on the tongue dorsum of 12 healthy subjects aged 23-33 years. The subjects swallowed each solution and then the moisture in the oral cavity was measured using a saliva wetness tester (L-SALIVO^®) and moisture checker (Mucus^®) for 60 min. After swallowing, the subjects recorded the degree of taste using a visual analogue scale (VAS) to examine the stimulating effect of each solution on salivation. Results: L-SALIVO^® was used to measure the moisture of the tongue dorsum. The C. masaikai extracts (1.5, 7.5, and 15% solutions) had a strong, long-lasting moistening effect, even after 60 min. Both the 1.2% citric acid and 12% sucrose solutions had a weak moistening effect 5 min after swallowing, but the effect disappeared thereafter. The moisture of the buccal mucosa was determined using Mucus^®, and the C. masaikai extracts had a similar long-lasting moistening effect. The weakly bittersweet taste induced by C. masaikai extract persisted, and significantly higher VAS values were scored 3 and 5 min after the subjects swallowed 1.5% C. masaikai extract compared with the other solutions (p<0.05). Conclusion: The C. masaikai extract enhanced oral moisture and its taste was perceived longer than the other taste elements. These results suggest that the C. masaikai extract is useful for improving dry mouth.

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