Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation

Oxidative stress, characterized by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species that overwhelm the body’s physiological defense mechanisms, is a key factor in the progression of parasitic diseases in both humans and animals. Scabies, a highly contagious dermatological condition caused by the mite &l...

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Main Authors: Marcin Wróblewski, Joanna Wróblewska, Jarosław Nuszkiewicz, Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska, Alina Woźniak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/22/5310
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author Marcin Wróblewski
Joanna Wróblewska
Jarosław Nuszkiewicz
Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska
Alina Woźniak
author_facet Marcin Wróblewski
Joanna Wróblewska
Jarosław Nuszkiewicz
Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska
Alina Woźniak
author_sort Marcin Wróblewski
collection DOAJ
description Oxidative stress, characterized by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species that overwhelm the body’s physiological defense mechanisms, is a key factor in the progression of parasitic diseases in both humans and animals. Scabies, a highly contagious dermatological condition caused by the mite <i>Sarcoptes scabiei</i> var. <i>hominis</i>, affects millions globally, particularly in developing regions. The infestation leads to severe itching and skin rashes, triggered by allergic reactions to the mites, their eggs, and feces. Conventional scabies treatments typically involve the use of scabicidal agents, which, although effective, are often associated with adverse side effects and the increasing threat of resistance. In light of these limitations, there is growing interest in the use of medicinal plants as alternative therapeutic options. Medicinal plants, rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, offer a promising, safer, and potentially more effective approach to treatment. This review explores the role of oxidative stress in scabies pathogenesis and highlights how medicinal plants can mitigate this by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage, thereby alleviating symptoms and improving patient outcomes. Through their natural antioxidant potential, these plants may serve as viable alternatives or complementary therapies in the management of scabies, especially in cases where resistance to conventional treatments is emerging.
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spelling doaj-art-497fa888495c40fcb1dd53addc44b3e42025-08-20T01:54:08ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492024-11-012922531010.3390/molecules29225310Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies InfestationMarcin Wróblewski0Joanna Wróblewska1Jarosław Nuszkiewicz2Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska3Alina Woźniak4Department of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, PolandDepartment of Medical Biology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 24 Karłowicza St., 85-092 Bydgoszcz, PolandOxidative stress, characterized by an overproduction of reactive oxygen species that overwhelm the body’s physiological defense mechanisms, is a key factor in the progression of parasitic diseases in both humans and animals. Scabies, a highly contagious dermatological condition caused by the mite <i>Sarcoptes scabiei</i> var. <i>hominis</i>, affects millions globally, particularly in developing regions. The infestation leads to severe itching and skin rashes, triggered by allergic reactions to the mites, their eggs, and feces. Conventional scabies treatments typically involve the use of scabicidal agents, which, although effective, are often associated with adverse side effects and the increasing threat of resistance. In light of these limitations, there is growing interest in the use of medicinal plants as alternative therapeutic options. Medicinal plants, rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant properties, offer a promising, safer, and potentially more effective approach to treatment. This review explores the role of oxidative stress in scabies pathogenesis and highlights how medicinal plants can mitigate this by reducing inflammation and oxidative damage, thereby alleviating symptoms and improving patient outcomes. Through their natural antioxidant potential, these plants may serve as viable alternatives or complementary therapies in the management of scabies, especially in cases where resistance to conventional treatments is emerging.https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/22/5310acaricidal activityantioxidantsmedicinal plantsnatural therapiesoxidative stressparasite resistance
spellingShingle Marcin Wróblewski
Joanna Wróblewska
Jarosław Nuszkiewicz
Celestyna Mila-Kierzenkowska
Alina Woźniak
Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation
Molecules
acaricidal activity
antioxidants
medicinal plants
natural therapies
oxidative stress
parasite resistance
title Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation
title_full Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation
title_fullStr Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation
title_full_unstemmed Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation
title_short Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plants in the Treatment of Scabies Infestation
title_sort antioxidant potential of medicinal plants in the treatment of scabies infestation
topic acaricidal activity
antioxidants
medicinal plants
natural therapies
oxidative stress
parasite resistance
url https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/29/22/5310
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AT jarosławnuszkiewicz antioxidantpotentialofmedicinalplantsinthetreatmentofscabiesinfestation
AT celestynamilakierzenkowska antioxidantpotentialofmedicinalplantsinthetreatmentofscabiesinfestation
AT alinawozniak antioxidantpotentialofmedicinalplantsinthetreatmentofscabiesinfestation