UNAIR NEWS – Scabies is an itchy skin rash caused by the itch mite (Sarcoptes scabiei). The symptoms are intense itching, which causes high discomfort.
Scabies infected both humans and animals. In the latter, it can be found in various kinds of animals, like goats, pigs, cows, buffaloes, rabbits, weasels, wild animals, and domestic ones like cats and dogs. “It’s an infectious disease that affects cattle. It occurs in stressed, malnourished, immunocompromised, and overcrowding young animals, with low hygiene and low socioeconomic condition,” said Prof. Dr. Poedji Hastutiek drh MSi, the Professor of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FKH) Universitas Airlangga.
Animals with scabies suffer from itching, which causes lesions and hair loss and is hard to cure. “Scabies is common in tropical countries with dense populations like Indonesia,” she said.
Scabies treatment in animal
Scabies in animals can be treated by administering ivermectin injection. However, the treatment is expensive, rare, and unsuitable for mass prevention and medication, possibly leading to drug resistance.
“The use of ivermectin is not quite efficient to be given to cattle in large numbers. Meanwhile, drug resistance can cause medication failure, which costs the breeders even more,” Prof. Poedji said.
Besides, the inappropriate dose of ivermectin may leave residues in their meat and milk. It harms humans who consume it,” she added.
Ecological scabies medication
Responding to the phenomenon, the professor inaugurated on Thursday, March 2, 2023, examined the potential of natural material for scabies treatment. The result found that the wild plant, Permot (Passiflora foetida Linn), has the potential for scabies medication.
The extracts of Permot leaves contain secondary metabolites of alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids. “Those compounds can kill the mite and impact the skin recovery by stimulating the formation of new cells,” she stated.
At the end of her oration, Prof. Poedji emphasized that the Permot leaf extract has the development potential to be ecological scabies bio-acaricides. Therefore, advanced research on dosage forms and utilization of nanoparticle technology, and clinical trials are urgently required.
“The Permot leaf extract can be developed into environmentally friendly bio-acaricides for scabies. It will provide more benefits for the animal health and boost the breeders’ incomes,” she said.
Author: Icha Nur Imami Puspita
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
