A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Antibacterial Properties of 0.5% Guava Leaf Extract Mouthwash With 0.1% Turmeric Extract Mouthwash in High-Caries-Risk Situations

Dr. Ekta Patel et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Antibacterial Properties of 0.5% Guava Leaf Extract Mouthwash With 0.1% Turmeric Extract Mouthwash in High-Caries-Risk Situations. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (6): 214‐217, 2025 214 International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Online ISSN-2958-3683 | Print ISSN-2958-3675 Frequency: Bi-Monthly Available online on: https://ijmpr.in/ Original Article A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Antibacterial Properties of 0.5% Guava Leaf Extract Mouthwash With 0.1% Turmeric Extract Mouthwash in High-Caries-Risk Situations Dr. Ekta Patel1, Dr. Munni Chaudhary2, Dr. Rahul Patel3, Dr. Anagha Agrawal4, Dr. Pulkit Kalyan5, Dr. Ritu Randad6 1, 6 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar 2 MDS Student, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar 3 Professor and Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar 4 Associate Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar 5 Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar A B S T R A C T Corresponding Author: Dr. Ekta Patel Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Sankalchand Patel University, Visnagar. Received: 14-10-2025 Accepted: 29-10-2025 Available online: 12-11-2025 Goal: To evaluate and contrast the antibacterial activity of mouthwashes containing 0.5% guava leaf extract and 0.1% turmeric extract on Streptococcus mutans counts in patients who are at high risk for dental cavities. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted among 60 high-caries-risk patients (30 per group). Group A received 0.5% guava leaves extract mouthwash, while Group B received 0.1% turmeric extract mouthwash. Participants rinsed with 10 ml of mouthwash twice daily for 14 days. Saliva samples were collected at baseline and post-intervention to quantify S. mutans colonies using Mitis Salivarius Agar. Salivary pH was recorded, and patient satisfaction was assessed using a structured questionnaire. Results: The guava mouthwash group showed a significantly greater reduction in S. mutans counts (mean reduction: 2.1 × 10⁵ CFU/ml) compared to the turmeric group (mean reduction: 1.2 × 10⁵ CFU/ml) (p < 0.05). Salivary pH improved towards alkalinity in the guava group (from 6.4 to 7.0) compared to the turmeric group (from 6.5 to 6.8). Patient satisfaction scores were higher for guava (83.3% rated taste as pleasant) than turmeric (63.3%). Conclusion: Within the parameters of this study, 0.5% guava leaves extract mouthwash was more effective as an antibacterial agent against Streptococcus mutans than 0.1% turmeric extract mouthwash. It presents a promising natural alternative for managing dental caries risk. Copyright © International Journal of Medical and Pharmaceutical Research Keywords: Guava leaf extract, Turmeric extract, Mouthwash, Streptococcus mutans, Dental caries. INTRODUCTION Dental caries remains a prevalent chronic disease worldwide, particularly among high-caries-risk populations.1 Streptococcus mutans is a primary etiological agent in the development of dental caries, contributing to enamel demineralization through acid production.1 While conventional antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine have demonstrated efficacy in reducing S. mutans counts, their prolonged use is often limited due to side effects such as altered taste perception, mucosal irritation, and tooth staining. 2 This has prompted interest in exploring herbal alternatives with antimicrobial properties.3,4 Dr. Ekta Patel et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Antibacterial Properties of 0.5% Guava Leaf Extract Mouthwash With 0.1% Turmeric Extract Mouthwash in High-Caries-Risk Situations. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (6): 214‐217, 2025 215 Guava (Psidium guajava) leaves have been recognized for their antimicrobial properties, attributed to bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic acids.3,5 In vitro studies have demonstrated that guava leaf extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity against S. mutans, suggesting their potential as a natural adjunct in oral hygiene practices.3,5 For instance, a study by Kassem et al. (2022)6 reported the potent antibacterial effect of guava leaves on S. mutans, highlighting their potential as an alternative to synthetic antimicrobial agents.3 Turmeric (Curcuma longa), particularly its active compound curcumin, has also been studied for its antimicrobial effects.5,7 Curcumin has demonstrated inhibitory activity against S. mutans by interfering with bacterial metabolism and biofilm formation.5 Research by Waghmare et al. (2011)8 indicated that turmeric mouthwash could effectively reduce plaque formation and gingivitis, comparable to chlorhexidine gluconate. Few comparative clinical investigations have evaluated the efficacy of guava and turmeric extracts when used as oral rinses among individual prone to dental caries, despite the individual data supporting each. 3, 5, 6 By evaluating and contrasting the antibacterial effects of mouthwashes containing 0.5% guava leaf extract and 0.1% turmeric extract on S. mutans counts and salivary pH in high-caries threat individualities, this study seeks to close this gap. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANT SELECTION: ➢ This study was a randomized controlled trial conducted in the Narsinhbhai Patel Dental College and Hospital's Department of Public Health Dentistry. Ethical approval was granted by the institutional ethics committee, and written informed consent was secured from all subjects. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: ✓ Age 18–45 years ✓ High caries risk (DMFT ≥ 5, frequent sugar intake, poor oral hygiene index > 2.5) ✓ No antibiotic or antimicrobial mouthwash use in the past 4 weeks NONELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: • Presence of systemic illness • Use of orthodontic appliances • A history of intolerance to herbal products GETTING MOUTHWASH READY EXTRACT FROM GUAVA LEAVES (0.5%): 1. Freshly picked guava leaves were carefully cleaned and allowed to air-dry in the shade at ambient temperature for 7–10 days. 2. Dried leaves were powdered using a mechanical grinder. 3. The powdered leaves were extracted using 95% ethanol in a Soxhlet apparatus for 6–8 hours. 4. The extract was condensed under vacuum conditions with rotary evaporator to yield a semi-solid mass. 5. The obtained residue was reconstituted in distilled water to form a 0.5% weight/volume solution. 6. The prepared solution was passed through a 0.45 μm membrane filter for clarification and kept in amber-tinted bottles at 4°C until required. TURMERIC EXTRACT (0.1%): 1. Turmeric rhizomes were thoroughly cleaned, dried in shade, and ground into a fine powder. 2. Ethanolic extraction of the powdered rhizomes was carried out in Soxhlet apparatus for six hours. 3. The extract was condensed and adjusted to achieve a curcuminoids concentration of 0.1%. 4. The resulting solution was filtered using a 0.45 μm membrane and preserved in amber-coloured containers at 4°C. INTERVENTION ➢ To minimize bias and ensure the reliability of the study outcomes, a double-blind randomized design was implemented. The procedure was as follows: 1. Randomization: ➢ A total of sixty eligible participants were randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 30 each) through a computergenerated randomization sequence. ➢ Participants in Group A provided with 0.5% guava leaf extract oral rinse, whereas Group B was given 0.1% turmeric extract formulation. 2. Allocation Concealment: Dr. Ekta Patel et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Antibacterial Properties of 0.5% Guava Leaf Extract Mouthwash With 0.1% Turmeric Extract Mouthwash in High-Caries-Risk Situations. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (6): 214‐217, 2025 216 ➢ To ensure proper allocation concealment, group codes were sealed in consecutively numbers opaque envelopes, prepared by an independent researcher uninvolved in participant selection or data analysis. The envelopes were opened solely at the time of distributing the oral rinses. 3. Blinding of Participants: ➢ Participants were blinded since the mouthwashes had identical colors, consistency, and packaging. ➢ To ensure participant blinding, participants were not told which mouthwash they were getting. ➢ Two groups were randomly selected from among the participants. Mouthwash containing 0.5% guava leaf extract was given to Group A, while mouthwash containing 0.1% turmeric extract was given to Group B. For 14 days, each participant was told to rinse twice a day (morning and night) for 60 seconds with 10 cc of the designated mouthwash. DATA COLLECTION MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS: Unstimulated salivary specimens were obtained from every participant both before and after the intervention period. The samples were serially diluted, inoculated onto Mitis Salivarius Agar supplemented with Bacitracin, followed incubation at 37°C for 48 hours. The S. mutans Colonies were recognized and quantified as CFU/ml. SALIVARY PH MEASUREMENT: The salivary pH was determined utilizing a pH strips. PATIENT ACCEPTENCE: Participant approval regarding taste, freshness, and willingness to continue use was evaluated through a structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaire. ANALYTICAL STATISTICS ➢ Statistical evaluation was conducted using SPSS version 20. Paired t-tests were applied to compare preand postintervention data within each group, whereas independent t-tests examined intergroup variations. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS ➢ The study successfully evaluated the outcomes for all enrolled participants. The key findings are summarized below: Table 1. Comparison of Streptococcus mutans counts (CFU/ml) between group. PARAMETER GROUP A GROUP B P VALUE S. mutans Baseline 3.8 × 10⁵ ± 0.6 × 10⁵ 3.9 × 10⁵ ± 0.5 × 10⁵ 0.72 Postintervention 1.7 × 10⁵ ± 0.4 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁵ ± 0.5 × 10⁵ 0.001* Reduction 2.1 × 10⁵ 1.2 × 10⁵ 0.001* Table 2. Comparison of Salivary pH between groups. PARAMETER GROUP A GROUP B P VALUE Salivary pH Baseline 6.4 ± 0.2 6.5 ± 0.3 0.18 Postintervention 7.0 ± 0.3 6.8 ± 0.3 0.02* Table 3. Patient satisfaction regarding mouthwash taste and acceptability PARAMETER GROUP A GROUP B P VALUE Pleasant Taste 83.3% 63.3% 0.03* Willingness to Continue use 80% 60% 0.04* ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT: ➢ The group using the 0.5% guava leaves extract mouthwash showed a statistically significant greater reduction in S. mutans from mean 3.8 × 10⁵ to 1.7 × 10⁵ CFU/ml compared to the group using the 0.1% turmeric extract mouthwash reduced from mean 3.9 × 10⁵ to 2.7 × 10⁵ CFU/ml. The reduction was significantly higher in the guava group (p = 0.001). SALIVARY PH: A more significant increase towards alkaline pH was observed in the guava extract group. PATIENT SATISFACTION: The questionnaire results indicated Guava group: 83.3% rated taste pleasant, 80% willing to continue use. While Turmeric group: 63.3% rated taste pleasant, 60% willing to continue use. Dr. Ekta Patel et al. A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing the Antibacterial Properties of 0.5% Guava Leaf Extract Mouthwash With 0.1% Turmeric Extract Mouthwash in High-Caries-Risk Situations. Int. J Med. Pharm. Res., 6 (6): 214‐217, 2025 217 DISCUSSION The findings of this study align with existing literature supporting the antimicrobial properties of Psidium guajava. The enhanced effectiveness of guava leaf extract may result from its abundant flavonoid and tannin content, compounds recognized for suppressing bacterial proliferation and attachment. Although turmeric exhibits antimicrobial potential, the 0.1% formulation utilized in this investigation proved to be less efficacious than the 0.5% guava extract. Findings indicate that 0.5% guava leaves extract is a viable and potent natural alternative for reducing the bacterial load associated with dental caries. Its efficacy, coupled with good patient acceptability, makes it a strong candidate for further development as a commercial mouthwash. LIMITATIONS ➢ Small sample size, short study duration (14 days), and absence of a positive control (e.g., chlorhexidine) limit generalizability. RECOMMENDATIONS ➢ Longer follow-up, larger cohorts, and inclusion of a standard comparator will strengthen the evidence for guava as a natural mouthwash. CONCLUSION ➢ The 0.5% guava leaves extract mouthwash proved more effective than 0.1% turmeric extract mouthwash in reducing S. mutans counts, improving salivary pH, and achieving higher patient acceptability in high-caries-risk patients. Guava mouthwash presents a promising, affordable, and safe herbal alternative for caries inhibition. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: The authors would like to thank the Student Start-up & Innovation Policy (SSIP 2.0) for its financial assistance. Education Department, Government of Gujarat, through the SSIP Cell at Sankalchand Patel University (Project ID: SPU_SSIP2.0_47). We also extend our gratitude to the participants of this study. REFERENCES 1. Featherstone, J. D. (2008). Dental caries: A dynamic disease process. Australian Dental Journal, 53(3), 286–291. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1834-7819.2008.00064.x 2. Löe, H., & Schiøtt, C. R. (1970). The effect of mouthrinses and topical application of chlorhexidine on the development of dental plaque and gingivitis in man. Journal of Periodontal Research, 5(2), 79–83. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.16000765.1970.tb00696.x 3. Prabu, G. R., Gnanamani, A., & Sadulla, S. (2006). Guaijaverin—a plant flavonoid as potential antiplaque agent against Streptococcus mutans. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 101(2), 487–495. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.13652672.2006.02922.x 4. Dineshkumar, B., Rajakumar, R., & Kumaravel, S. (2010). 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