Sarcoptic mange, commonly known as scabies, is a highly contagious skin condition caused by the
burrowing mite Sarcoptes scabiei (Astigmata: Sarcoptinae). This parasitic disease significantly impacts
livestock and human health, particularly in underserved regions. Current treatments rely on synthetic
acaricides like permethrin and ivermectin, which suffer from limitations such as toxicity, resistance
development, and environmental contamination. Essential oils from Apiaceae plants represent a
promising natural alternative. This study reviewed 122 volatile constituents from Apiaceae plants
and conducted comprehensive in silico analyses to identify potential antiparasitic agents. Geraniol
emerged as a potent acaricidal candidate due to its strong binding affinity to acetylcholinesterase
(AChE) (docking score: − 7.85 kcal/mol). In vitro testing revealed geraniol achieved a 100% mite
mortality rate at concentrations as low as 6.25% within 15 min (LT50 = 9.5 min). In vivo studies using
scabies-infected rabbits demonstrated that geraniol-treated animals exhibited complete clinical
recovery by two weeks post-treatment, with disappearance of crusts, itching, and skin thickening.
Histopathological examination showed near-complete skin regeneration with minimal inflammatory
infiltrates, in contrast to control groups which exhibited severe lesions and active mite presence.
Furthermore, geraniol-treated rabbits displayed new hair growth and improved general condition, with
no observed adverse effects. These findings highlight geraniol’s potential as a safe, effective, and ecofriendly
treatment for scabies, offering a 100% improvement in clinical and histological recovery within
two weeks. Further research should focus on optimizing delivery systems and evaluating its efficacy in
human clinical trials.