Background and Objectives: This study investigated the antibacterial efficacy of Sesewanua (Clerodendrum fragrans Wild) extract as a mouthwash alternative to mitigate oral bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans.

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed with a cohort of 100 female students, divided into four groups to assess varying concentrations (1%, 2%, and 4%) of Sesewanua extract, along with a purified water control. The extraction process involved mechanical grinding followed by maceration with 70% ethanol to maximize the extraction of bioactive compounds. Microbiological analysis was conducted post-intervention to measure the reduction in bacterial counts.

Inclusion Criteria

1. Female students registered as residents of the female dormitory at the Manado Ministry of Health Polytechnic during the study period.
2. Age ≥17 years.
3. Willing to sign written informed consent.
4. Good oral and general health status based on initial screening (no acute oral infections, severely inflamed gums, or other oral conditions requiring immediate treatment).
5. Not currently using medications or therapies that could modulate oral flora (e.g., systemic antibiotics, therapeutic oral antiseptics) in the past 2 weeks.
6. Able to follow standardized oral hygiene protocols (able to brush and rinse as instructed).

Exclusion Criteria

1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
2. History of allergy to ingredients in mouthwash formulations (e.g., fragrances, parabens, sorbitol).
3. Use of antibiotics, antifungals, systemic steroids, or immunosuppressive medications in the 2 weeks before or during the study.
4. Invasive dental treatment or oral surgery in the past 1 month.
5. Systemic diseases that can affect saliva composition (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, severe xerostomia, oral autoimmune diseases).
6. Active smoking or use of other tobacco products.
7. Non-compliance with protocols (e.g., failure to show up for sample collection).

This is contrary to the ethical principles agreed upon in this research, which state that all or part of the data may not be distributed anywhere except for publication purposes (requests from the journal).