Abstract

Background: Xerostomia (dry mouth) is a common condition associated with reduced salivary flow, leading to impaired oral function and decreased quality of life. Oral moisturizers are widely used to alleviate symptoms, yet their efficacy varies depending on formulation. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of a Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) derivativebased oral moisturizer (MucoPEG™) compared polymer-based oral rinse (Hydris™) on human epithelial cells under drying conditions.
Methods: Human pharyngeal epithelial cells (CCL-138™) were cultured and exposed to test formulations prior to controlled desiccation (25 °C, 30% humidity). Cell viability following drying was assessed using a CCK-8 assay and expressed relative to non-dried controls. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test with Bonferroni correction.
Result: Exposure to drying conditions significantly reduced cell viability in the Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS) control group (mean viability: 11.6%). Treatment with MucoPEG™ significantly improved cell survival compared to dry PBS (mean viability: 71.9%, p=0.002). Hydris™ exhibited low cell viability (12.0%), similar to dry PBS.
Conclusion: The PEG derivative-based formulation significantly protected epithelial cells from desiccation compared to untreated controls. These findings suggest that PEG derivative-based oral moisturizers may offer effective hydration and protective benefits in dry oral environments.