Pilot clinical study of Sasa senanensis Rehder leaf extract treatment on lichenoid dysplasia

Previous studies have shown antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity of alkaline extract of the leaves of Sasa senanensis Rehder (SE). Here, we investigated whether SE is effective on oral lichenoid dysplasia and osteoclastogenesis. A male patient with white lacy streaks in the oral mucosa was orally administered SE three times a day for 11 months. The area of white streaks was monitored by intraoral photography. Interleukin-6 and -8 in the saliva were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Osteoclastogenesis of mouse macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells, induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) was monitored by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinuclear cell formation. Long-term treatment with SE progressively reduced both the area of white steaks and the levels of salivary interleukin-6 and -8. SE significantly inhibited the macrophage differentiation towards osteoclasts. The present study suggests the therapeutic potential of SE towards oral diseases.