[The effect of bakumondo-to on salivary secretion in Sjögren syndrome].

The effect of a traditional chinese medicine 'Bakumondô tô' was evaluated on salivary secretion in thirty-eight patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SjS) and the results were compared with a matchen control group of patients treated with Hochûekki-tô. Hochûekki-tô is also one of the traditional chinese medicine. Tsumura Bakumondô-tô and Tsumura Hochûekki-tô (extract granules) were used. Daily dose was 9g and 7.5g respectively. Before looking into the effects of Bakumondô-tô on salivary secretion, we must define the reliability of the gum test. To avoid of learning effect, three sequential gum tests were needed. At the second gum test and the third gum test, no increase of salivary secretion was observed. So, we performed at least three gum test in each the patients studied. We have reached the following conclusion. First, in the Bakumondô-tô group the salivary secretion was significantly increased from 8.2 +/- 1.1ml (m +/- SE) to 11.4 +/- 1.4ml. (p less than 0.005) Second, in the Bakumondô-tô group, the increase in salivary secretion was 3.16 +/- 0.78ml which was significantly more than the increase in control group. (p less than 0.005) Third, in the course of long-term observation, the salivary secretion in patients under Bakumondô-tô treatment gradually increased. (r = 0.7290) Fourth, the improvement of salivary secretion under Bakumondô-tô treatment was marked in stage I and stage II of sialographical abnormalities of the salivary gland. Finally, Bakumondô-tô was very useful for managing oral manifestations in patients with SjS.