Oxidative Stress and Erythrocyte Membrane Responses During Sarcoptic Mange in Sheep: Evaluating Bio-Organic Therapy and its Supplementation with Antioxidant Tocopherol

Sarcoptic mange in sheep, causes heavy losses in quantity and quality of wool and meat production.The present investigation aimed at evaluating the oxidative stress-antioxidant defense and erythrocytic membrane responses during sarcoptic mange in sheep.A bio-organic therapy (BT) was evaluated for its efficacy. Tocopherol was assessed for its antioxidant adjunctive potential. Materials and Methods: Nineteen sheep with sarcoptic mange (aged 9-12 months, with lesions ascribed to Sarcoptes scabiei var. ovis) were divided into 2 groups of 8 (group1) and 11(group2) respectively.Group1 was sprayed with the BT (Topicure: Natural Remedies Private Limited, Bangalore, India; containing extracts and distillates of Eucalyptus globulus, Cedrus deodara and Pinus longifolia).In Group2, BT plus tocopherol (E-care Se: Health Line Private Limited, Bangalore, India; containing tocopherol-50mg, selenium-1.5mg; two intramuscular injections at 7 days gap) were advocated.The animals were free from other pathogenic microorganisms.Ecto-parasites were identified by standard procedures.(a)Response to treatment: was noted each day through grade codes (0 to 4).(b)Mite count:Skin scrapings were examined for mites on 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,14,21 and 28 days post treatment (PT).(c)Oxidative stressantioxidant defense, erythrocyte membrane responses: In erythrocytes (days ‘0’ and 28 PT), lipid peroxidation (LP), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathiones-transferase, adenosine triphosphatases (total ATPase, Na K-`ATPase and Mg-ATPase) & protein were estimated.(d)Haematology:total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (H) were estimated in blood (days 0 and 28). (e) Statistical analysis was as per standard procedures. Results: (a) Clinical observations: BT was effective and with tocopherol it was effective just within 2 days of start of therapy with an effectiveness of 77.5%. (b) Mite count: BT was good and with tocopherol it was effective against mites within 2 days of start. (c) Oxidative stressantioxidant defense; erythrocyte membrane and haematological responses: effect of (BT) and BT plus tocopherol on biochemical parameters of sheep erythrocytes and hematology (Mean±SD) indicated significant (*P<0.05; **P<0.01; ***P<0.001) increase in LP**, total ATPase***, MgATPase***, significant decrease in Na K-ATPase**, catalase**, GST**, PCV**, TEC***, Hb*** and a non significant decrease in GSH in the diseased. BT was effective as it could bring these values towards healthy control group values of normalcy Tocopherol as adjunct therapy proved beneficial. No reappearance was observed with respect to all the studied parameters during the period of observation.Conclusions: Eucalyptus globulus & Cedrus deodara are antimange. Pinus longifolia has antiseptic action. Anemia may be a result of mites consuming erythrocytes escaping from capillaries and lowered erythropoietin production due to liver involvement. Haemoglobin may be reduced due to low erythrocyte counts and haematocrit and may be due to toxaemia caused by mites. Lipid peroxidation indicates oxidative damage to tissues. In diseased sheep erythrocytes are under oxidative stress which may be due to decreased catalase activity. Increase in ATPases in diseased sheep may be due to increased need of energy under oxidative stress. Glutathione-s-transferase (GST) protects cells against various electrophilic, hydrophobic compounds by catalyzing the formation of glutathione conjugates. Tocopherol with BT was better with respect to (GST). Erythrocyte membrane is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acid and thus are prone to oxidative insult by pro-oxidants. It is concluded that during sarcoptic mange in sheep, there is an oxidative stress and an adverse effect on erythrocyte membrane functioning. The tried herbal acaricide could improve the animal with respect to adverse effects. Tocopherol could exhibit a good antioxidant potential in treating this infection. Thus, herbal acaricides may provide a better