Formulation and Antibacterial Activity of Calabash (Crescentia cujete) Leaves as Herbal Mouthwash Against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Dental caries are considered a significant issue in the Philippines and other nations. Prior researchers have investigated the antibacterial properties of herbal plants to produce dental products; however, relatively few studies have focused on the Calabash (Crescentia cujete) leaves. Hence, this study was conducted to formulate C.cujete L. mouthwash and to evaluate its antibacterial effectiveness. The experimental design was utilized in carrying out the study as it was the most appropriate method needed by the researchers to gather data accurately. The researchers used the Mueller-Hinton agar to test the antibacterial activity of Calabash (Crescentia cujete) leaves mouthwash against an oral pathogen, Staphylococcus aureus.

Further, to test the comparative antimicrobial of Calabash mouthwash and commercially available medicine (Chloramphenicol). Staphylococcus aureus resisted the formulated Calabash (Crescentia cujete) leaves mouthwash. Meanwhile, the commercially available medicine (Chloramphenicol) was more effective in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus than the C.cujete leaves mouthwash. Researchers discovered that a herbal mouthwash prepared from Calabash (C. Cujete) leaves is inefficient against the oral bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. It does not affect the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in the mouth, plaque, or saliva. Furthermore, the Calabash (C. Cujete) leaf mouthwash is far less effective than the commercially available drug Chloramphenicol.