Efficacy of Essential Oils in Managing Oxidative Stress in Scabietic Dogs

Abstract

Aims: To assess the oxidant-antioxidant balance in dogs infected with Sarcoptes scabiei and to examine whether a 2% blend of three essential oils—1% lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon citratus), 0.5% tulsi oil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and 0.5% sandalwood oil (Santalum album)—could ameliorate these parameters. Study Design: Dogs presenting to the Veterinary Clinical Complex with clinical signs of sarcoptic mange were enrolled. Oxidative-stress indices in infected dogs were compared with those of healthy dogs to determine differences associated with Sarcoptes scabiei infection. The effect of topical treatment with the essential-oil formulation was also compared with ivermectin treatment. Place and Duration of Study: The investigation was carried out at the Department of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Clinical Complex, DUVASU, Mathura, India, over 18 months from February 2023 to July 2024. Methodology: Twelve dogs affected by sarcoptic mange were separated into two treatment groups: one received the 2% essential-oil formulation topically, whereas the other received ivermectin by subcutaneous injection. Six apparently healthy dogs served as controls. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were measured on day 0 before therapy and on days 14 and 28 after therapy. Statistical analysis was performed in GraphPad Prism using Student’s t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Compared with healthy dogs, infected dogs had significantly higher TOS and OSI and significantly lower TAOC. Following therapy, both treatment groups showed improvement in these oxidative-stress indicators, with greater amelioration in the essential-oil (EO)-treated group than in the ivermectin-treated group. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate an association between sarcoptic mange and altered oxidative-stress markers and suggest antioxidant potential for the essential-oil combination evaluated in this study.