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Orobanche spp. are root parasitic plants that cause yield losses in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.). In Tunisia, O . crenata and O . foetida are among the major problems limiting faba bean production and productivity. Breeding for resistance and development of resistant varieties remain the most efficient control strategy to combat these parasites. In our study, field trials were conducted over two consecutive cropping seasons. A set of 42 genotypes were used in this study; 39 advanced lines and three checks; Najeh and Baraca (resistant) and Badi (susceptible). The trials were conducted in highly infested O . foetida plot at Oued-Beja Research Station in Tunisia. Results showed that advanced lines XAR-VF00.13-1-2-1-2-1 and XBJ90.04-2-3-1-1-1-2A expressed high resistance level exceeding those recorded for resistance checks Najeh and Baraca. O . foetida significantly affected the biomass, grain yield, chlorophyll content index (CCI) and the maximum quantum efficiency (F v /F m ratio). No significant effect was observed on host plant water content (WC). CCI decreases varied from 46.4% for the susceptible check Badi and 4.2% and 9.3%, respectively, for Baraca and XBJ90.04-2-3-1-1-1-2A. Orobanche parasitism resulted in a slight decreases of F v /F m ratio for the advanced lines XBJ90.04-2-3-1-1-1-2A and XAR-VF00.13-1-2-1-2-1 against important decreases observed for Badi and Baraca. Correlation between resistance to O . foetida and CCI and F v /F m makes this, easy-to-measure, parameter very useful as a practical screening tool for early parasitism detection, diagnosis and identification and selection of high resistant plants against this parasite.

This study was conducted in order to test the effect of seed pretreatment or exogenous application through the rooting medium of 0.1 mM Salicylic Acid (SA) and 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) on growth, nutritional behavior and some biochemical parameters (photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange parameters, oxidative stress indicators and antioxidant enzymes activities) of lentil plants ( Lens culinaris ) under 75 mM salt stress. Our results demonstrated that salt stress noticeably reduced shoot and root DWs by 39.01 and 42.81%, respectively, as compared to controls. This reduction was associated with a significant decrease in all photosynthetic parameters, including Chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid (Car), net assimilation of photosynthesis ( A ), stomatal conductance ( gs ), transpiration ( E ) and internal CO 2 level ( Ci ), an accumulation of Na + and Cl - and a decrease of K + and Ca 2+ concentrations in plant shoots and roots. In addition, relative to control plants, salt stress remarkably increased the malondialdehyde MDA and H 2 O 2 contents especially in roots and increased GPOX and SOD activities, especially in plant shoots. Both methods of SA and H 2 O 2 application recovered the plant growth, enhanced shoot and root DWs (increase of 67.65 and 82.36% in shoots and roots, respectively, as compared to salt-stressed plants) and increased all parameters that were reduced by NaCl treatment. Nevertheless, the most prominent effects of SA and H 2 O 2 on plant growth were obtained with the seed priming method. Thus, SA and H 2 O 2 applications, especially the H 2 O 2 seed priming method, induced the antioxidant system, improved the membrane stability and ameliorated the gas exchange parameters. As compared to salt plant stressed, Na + and Cl - contents were significantly decreased and K + and Ca 2+ were significantly increased in shoots and roots following SA and H 2 O 2 applications, especially with the H 2 O 2 seed priming method. Similarly, this method was more efficient in alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on all photosynthetic pigment contents and measured gas exchange parameters. Compared to salt stressed plants, it significantly decreased the H 2 O 2 and MDA contents and further stimulated GPOX and SOD activities. Our results indicated that the seed priming method, particularly with H 2 O 2 , could be recommended for obtaining better growth of lentil seedlings under salt-affected soil conditions.

Broomrapes ( Orobanche spp.) caused important agricultural problems reducing faba bean cultivated area and production in Tunisia. The effect of chemical tolerance inducers (Salicylic Acid SA and Benzothiadiazole BTH) and commercial biological tolerance inducers (Serenade, Trianum-P and Panoramix) on the induction of tolerance to O. foetida and O. crenata on faba bean was studied under field and controlled conditions experiments. These tolerance inducers were evaluated on the susceptible small seeded faba bean cv. Bachaar and applied as seeds’ pretreatment (seeds priming – coating). SA and BTH proved to be the best seed pretreatment inducers that reduced O. foetida infestation and increased plant growth and seed yield under field and controlled conditions. Induced tolerance was associated with reduced orobanche seed germination rate and tubercle number. Biological tolerance inducers reduced orobanche infestation under controlled conditions especially in quadratic plastic dishes but not under field conditions. In absence of complete resistance to broomrape, these results support the evidence of using tolerance inducers to control broomrapes and that could be considered as one additional component in an integrated control strategy.

In Tunisia, Orobanche foetida Poir. is considered an important agricultural biotic constraint on faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) production. An innovative control method for managing this weed in faba bean is induced resistance through inoculation by rhizobia strains. In this study, we explored the biochemical dynamics in V . faba L. minor inoculated by rhizobia in response to O . foetida parasitism. A systemic induced resistant reaction was evaluated through an assay of peroxidase (POX), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and phenyl alanine ammonialyase (PAL) activity and phenolic compound and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) accumulation in faba bean plants infested with O . foetida and inoculated with rhizobia. Two rhizobia strains (Mat, Bj1) and a susceptible variety of cultivar Badi were used in a co-culture Petri dish experiment. We found that Mat inoculation significantly decreased O . foetida germination and the number of tubercles on the faba bean roots by 87% and 88%, respectively. Following Bj1 inoculation, significant decreases were only observed in O . foetida germination (62%). In addition, Mat and Bj1 inoculation induced a delay in tubercle formation (two weeks) and necrosis in the attached tubercles (12.50% and 4.16%, respectively) compared to the infested control. The resistance of V . faba to O . foetida following Mat strain inoculation was mainly associated with a relatively more efficient enzymatic antioxidative response. The antioxidant enzyme activity was enhanced following Mat inoculation of the infected faba bean plant. Indeed, increases of 45%, 67% and 86% were recorded in the POX, PPO and PAL activity, respectively. Improvements of 56% and 12% were also observed in the soluble phenolic and H 2 O 2 contents. Regarding inoculation with the Bj1 strain, significant increases were only observed in soluble phenolic and H 2 O 2 contents and PPO activity (especially at 45 days after inoculation) compared to the infested control. These results imply that inoculation with the rhizobia strains (especially Mat) induced resistance and could bio-protect V . faba against O . foetida parasitism by inducing systemic resistance, although complete protectionwas not achieved by rhizobia inoculation. The Mat strain could be used as a potential candidate for the development of an integrated method for controlling O . foetida parasitism in faba bean.

Background/Objectives: The search for new bioactive molecules increasingly extends beyond conventional medicinal plants, highlighting the importance of exploring alternative botanical sources. Parasitic plants represent a promising but underexploited reservoir of pharmacologically relevant compounds. Cuscuta australis (CA), a parasitic species with a history of traditional use, remains poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate its phytochemical composition and evaluate its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. Methods: The phytochemical profile of CA extract was characterized by LC-MS. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using DPPH and ABTS assays. In vivo hepatoprotection was evaluated in male rats subjected to CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and treated orally with CA (30 or 60 mg/kg body weight). Biochemical, lipid, oxidative stress, and histological parameters were determined. Molecular docking was conducted to predict the binding of major identified compounds against selected protein targets. Results: CA significantly and dose-dependently improved biochemical and histological markers. At 60 mg/kg, ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin were reduced by 32%, 33%, 63%, and 51%, respectively. Lipid metabolism was improved by decreased TC, TG, and LDL-C with increased HDL-C. Antioxidant defense was enhanced through elevated CAT, SOD, and GPx activities, accompanied by reduced MDA levels. TNF-α and IL-6 decreased by 48% and 53%, respectively. Histopathology confirmed hepatoprotection and reduced fibrosis. Docking studies revealed strong binding affinities (−7.07 to −19.20 kcal/mol) for several metabolites, notably quercetin glucoside, diosmetin glucoside, caffeic acid glucoside, feruloylquinic acid, and isorhamnetin glucoside, against CYP450, IL-2, TNF-α, and IL-6. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that C. australis is a promising source of bioactive compounds with hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic, and anti-inflammatory effects, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent.

Controlling the Orobanche weed parasite is a major challenge for farmers, and the individual application of various management practices has not yet proven to be successful in addressing this issue. To develop an effective strategy for managing this parasitic weed, an Integrated Orobanche Management (IOM) approach has become a priority. Using a Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) methodology, we analyze the trade-off in farmers’ preferences between different attributes of IOM scenarios and estimate their willingness to pay (WTP). A sample of 124 Tunisian faba bean farmers participated in the study. The findings indicate that Tunisian farmers are open to adopt an IOM that includes Orobanche-tolerant faba bean varieties, and that the cost of technical package does not seem to be an obstacle. Nevertheless, farmers feel to be rewarded for delaying the sowing date from November to December. Furthermore, the study highlights that farmers show no clear preferences for the use of herbicide, specifically glyphosate, as well as for the practice of intercropping with fenugreek. While increasing faba bean yields remains a priority, farmers are willing to pay more for IOM scenarios that reduce the Orobanche plant shoot count. In conclusion, there is significant heterogeneity in farmers’ preferences, their financial situation, and the severity of Orobanche infestation significantly influencing their decision. Policy recommendations are derived from our results.

Potassium (K+) is an essential macronutrient playing a crucial role in plant growth and development as well as in many physiological and biochemical processes. An adequate K+ concentration in the rooting medium has been linked to plant’s tolerance to abiotic stress.  This study was undertaken to assess the effects of different K+ concentration treatments (0.2, 2.5 and 5 mM) on the growth, nutritional behavior, total chlorophyll, proline and malondialdehyde contents as well as total polyphenols and ascorbate contents, and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities of durum wheat seedlings under salt stress (100 mM NaCl). Obtained results showed that increasing the K+ availability in the nutrient solution enhanced wheat seedlings’ growth-related parameters, namely relative growth rate and relative water content. Concomitantly, the chlorophyll pigment and proline contents were significantly increased, whereas the level of lipid peroxidation was noticeably decreased. Simultaneously, the antioxidant defense machinery was induced through the significant increases in total polyphenols and ascorbate contents as well as in the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes. Taken together, the results of the current study showed that K+ plays a key role in the mitigation of the devastating effects of salt stress on durum wheat’s growth. Therefore, increasing the K+ availability in the rooting medium may be used as an efficient method for wheat cultivation in salt-affected soils.

In this current study, we explored the preventive capacity of the aqueous extract of Orobanche foetida (OF), a root holoparasite, against CCl 4 prompt hepatotoxicity in rats. LC-MS/MS profiling revealed the existence of 32 compounds belonging to organic acids, benzoic acid derivatives, and hydroxycinnamic acids along with their glycosides and derivatives as well as several flavonoids. In vitro , OF demonstrated substantial antioxidant potential at DPPH and ABTS assays. Results showed that the pretreatment with OF for 6 weeks at the doses (25 mg/kg bw) and (50 mg/kg bw) countered the CCl 4 -induced liver injury by restoring liver injuries indicators (ALT, AST, LDH, ALP, GGT and bilirubin), normalizing lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C), as well as, impeding DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, OF blocked the hepatic oxidative stress spurred by CCl 4 administration through boosting antioxidant enzymes (GSH, CAT, and SOD) responsible of diminishing lipid peroxidation. exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect by downregulating TNF-α and IL-6 levels. OF suppressive effect on proinflammatory cytokines is further exerted by its capacity to modulate the expression of the NF-κB gene. In silico investigation revealed that among the 32 identified compounds, vanillic acid glucoside and dihydroxybenzoic acid glucoside have strong and stable bindings with the active sites of three key inflammatory proteins (PARP-1, TNF-α, IL-6), which could highlight the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of. Overall, this research provides a preliminary pharmacological support for the medicinal applications of Orobanche foetida for addressing inflammatory and hepato-pathological conditions.

Orobanche spp. are root parasitic plants that cause severe yield losses in faba bean ( Vicia faba L.). The use of tolerant varieties remains a pivotal component of a successful integrated control strategy. In this study, we investigated the potential physiological mechanisms associated with tolerance to O. crenata and O. foetida in faba bean. The results showed that Orobanche parasitism significantly affected faba bean plants’ growth and seed production, especially in the sensitive Bachaar variety (up to 61.77% and 83.53% in shoot dry weight, up to 79.59% in pod number and no pod development when infected with O. foetida and O. crenata , respectively). This reduction was correlated with photosynthetic capacity (A max ) decreases in response to both O. foetida and O. crenata parasitism. This decrease was highly pronounced in the sensitive Bachaar variety with 24.57% and 63.43% decreases, respectively. Significant decreases were also observed in the sensitive Bachaar cultivar for the photochemical efficiency of PSII (F v /F m ) (1.1% and 4.78%), the maximum transpiration (E max ) (11.8% and 39.13%), and the maximum water use efficiency (WUE max ) (24.97% and 41.77%) in response to O. foetida and O. crenata parasitism, respectively, compared to non-significant differences for the tolerant Chams, Chourouk, and Zaher varieties. The tolerant faba bean varieties were able to maintain a normal function of their photosynthesis capacity (A n ) and conserve their growth and seed production level as a result of an acclimation to parasitic attack (Maintaining WUE max ). Our results suggest that yield components such as shoot dry weight, pod and leaf numbers, and photosynthetic parameters, notably the transpiration rate, can serve as suitable traits for assessing tolerance to Orobanche parasitism in faba bean plants.

This study demonstrated the antioxidant potential of Luffa cylindrica leaf infusion (LLI) in alleviating oxidative damage induced by cisplatin and carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in Wistar rats. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds, such as protocatechuic acid (PCA; 5.83 mg/g DW), naringenin (5.54 mg/g DW), chlorogenic acid (CA; 4.90 mg/g DW), and ascorbic acid (4.87 mg/g DW). In vivo results showed that LLI administration by gavage significantly improved kidney and liver functions, particularly at a dose of 40 mg/kg, as evidenced by serum biochemical markers for both organs. Furthermore, LLI pretreatment restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and CAT activity while reducing MDA levels, indicating a protective effect against oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis revealed that LLI treatment reduced structural damage in liver and kidney tissues, confirming its protective capacity. Molecular docking studies revealed that naringenin, PCA, and CA exhibit strong binding affinities to SOD, potentially enhancing its activity synergistically. These findings suggest that LLI, rich in natural antioxidants, may serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for mitigating oxidative stress–induced organ damage, warranting further investigation in clinical settings.