International Parasitic Plant Society

Welcome to the homepage of the International Parasitic Plant Society (IPPS). The IPPS is dedicated to advancing scientific research on parasitic plants. Our goals include increasing the understanding of these amazing plants, providing a platform for exchange among and beyond the scientific community as well as helping to decrease the crop damage inflicted by weedy parasitic plants.

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Genetic analysis of drought and heat tolerance combined with Striga hermonthica resistance in tropical maize (Zea mays) Melkamu Elmyhun, Ermias Abate, Alemu Abate, Adefris Teklewold, Silvestro Meseka, Abebe Menkir Plos One, volume 21 Thursday 19 February 2026 The occurrence of combined biotic and abiotic stresses with more damaging effect is worsening in maize production fields in SSA due to climate change. The development of multiple stress tolerant maize hybrids is thus critical to assure food security. This study was conducted to (i) examine the mode of inheritance of combined tolerance to drought an... The occurrence of combined biotic and abiotic stresses with more damaging effect is worsening in maize production fields in SSA due to climate change. The development of multiple stress tolerant maize hybrids is thus critical to assure food security. This study was conducted to (i) examine the mode of inheritance of combined tolerance to drought and heat stress (CDHS) with resistance to Striga in tropical maize and (ii) assess the feasibility of selecting hybrids with combined tolerance to drought and heat stress and resistance to Striga infection. Single cross hybrids formed from Striga resistant lines with contrasting resistance reactions to tassel blasting were then evaluated under combined drought and heat stress as well as under Striga infested (STIN) and non-infested (STNO) conditions. The observed high GCA/SCA ratio and narrow sense heritability estimates indicated that additive gene action had a major effect on the inheritance of most traits under all testing conditions. Seven parental lines had positive GCA effects for grain yield under CDHS and STIN conditions when they were used as both male and female parents. We also found single crosses with positive specific combining ability (SCA) for grain yield. Grain yield under STIN had positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations with yield recorded under CDHS and STNO conditions. It thus appears that grain yield may be regulated by common alleles across the three growing conditions. Selected parental lines are potential parents for developing source populations of new inbred lines and superior hybrids with combined CDHS tolerance and Striga resistance. Promising single crosses could be used as female parents to develop multiple stress tolerant 3-way cross hybrids.

Integrated Management of Striga hermonthica in Sorghum Using Glomus mosseae, Bacillus megaterium, and Phosphorus Suha Hassan Ahmed Elhag, Migdam Elsheikh Abdelghani, Hanan Ibrahim Mudawi, Abdel Gabar E.Tayeb Babiker Plant Environment Interactions, volume 7 Thursday 19 February 2026 The root parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, a member of the Orobanchaceae family, is a major constraint to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Its germination is triggered by host-derived stimulants, which are upregulated under phosphorus (P) and nitrogen deficiencies. This study evaluated the effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomu... The root parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, a member of the Orobanchaceae family, is a major constraint to cereal production in sub-Saharan Africa. Its germination is triggered by host-derived stimulants, which are upregulated under phosphorus (P) and nitrogen deficiencies. This study evaluated the effects of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus mosseae, the phosphorus-solubilizing bacterium Bacillus megaterium var. phosphaticum (BMP), and inorganic phosphorus (P<inf>2</inf>O<inf>5</inf>), applied individually and in combination, on S. hermonthica incidence and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) growth. Uncontrolled S. hermonthica parasitism reduced sorghum height by 48%–54% and shoot biomass by 71%. G. mosseae alone reduced S. hermonthica emergence and biomass by 87%–100% and 93%, respectively, while increasing sorghum height by 89%–115% and shoot biomass by 351%. The combination of G. mosseae with BMP increased sorghum height by 116%–139% and shoot biomass by 314%. BMP alone reduced S. hermonthica emergence and biomass by 57%–65% and 68%, respectively, and phosphorus alone reduced S. hermonthica emergence and biomass by 29%–42% and 51%, respectively. The combinations of G. mosseae with BMP, G. mosseae with phosphorus, and G. mosseae with BMP and phosphorus achieved reductions in S. hermonthica emergence of 93%–100%, 82%–100%, and 87%–100%, and reductions in biomass of 93%, 87%, and 65%, respectively. Phosphorus suppressed arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus colonization, while BMP had no significant effect. These findings highlight the potential of G. mosseae and Bacillus megaterium, individually and in combination, as biocontrol agents for reducing S. hermonthica and improving sorghum growth in low-fertility soils.

Differential effects of precipitation pulses on two mistletoe species and their associated fauna in a semi-arid environment Valentina Vilches-Gómez, José I. Orellana, Francisco E. Fontúrbel Journal of Arid Environments, volume 232 Wednesday 18 February 2026 Semi-arid ecosystems are highly limited by water availability; thus, precipitation pulses can generate significant impacts on plant populations. We evaluated the effects of rainfall pulses on the phenologies of two mistletoe species (Tristerix aphyllus and T. verticillatus) and their associated fauna in Las Chinchillas National Reserve, Chile. Base... Semi-arid ecosystems are highly limited by water availability; thus, precipitation pulses can generate significant impacts on plant populations. We evaluated the effects of rainfall pulses on the phenologies of two mistletoe species (Tristerix aphyllus and T. verticillatus) and their associated fauna in Las Chinchillas National Reserve, Chile. Based on a two-year camera trap survey (2021–2023), we recorded a total of 21,083 visits. Although 2022 began following a 2021 hydric deficit, a large rainfall pulse during the austral winter altered conditions, influencing the patterns observed in 2023. Tristerix aphyllus (a holoparasite specialized on cacti) showed a decrease in flowering after the rainfall pulse, whereas T. verticillatus (a generalist hemiparasite) showed an increase in flowering and fruiting. Associated fauna showed a significant variation between years: both species experienced greater visitor abundance after the pulse, but only T. verticillatus showed increased species richness (from 3.71 to 7.30 species in average). Beta diversity values indicated greater species turnover in T. aphyllus (57.14 %) than in T. verticillatus (17.39 %); small mammals became more dominant than birds after the rainfall pulse. These results show differential effects of rainfall pulses between mistletoe species, shedding light on the complex ecological dynamics underlying Mediterranean semi-arid environments.

Cuscuta chinensis Lam. extracts ameliorate type 2 diabetes by regulating metabolism and gut microbiota Lin Zhou, Rui Liu, Xinyue Wang, Wenjing Song, Xiaoxu Duan, Yu Yang, Guangyan Liu, Ronghua Fan Iscience, volume 29 Wednesday 18 February 2026 Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (TSZ), a medicinal and edible plant, contains bioactive constituents including flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and lignans. This study investigated the effects of TSZ extracts in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We employed UV and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS for compositional analysis, and integrated metabolomics ... Cuscuta chinensis Lam. (TSZ), a medicinal and edible plant, contains bioactive constituents including flavonoids, phenolic acids, polysaccharides, and lignans. This study investigated the effects of TSZ extracts in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We employed UV and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS for compositional analysis, and integrated metabolomics with 16S rDNA sequencing to explore systemic responses. The results showed that TSZ extracts are rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids. Treatment with TSZ significantly regulated blood glucose and body weight, ameliorated metabolic disturbances, and influenced key pathways, including the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., oleic acid and α-linolenic acid). Further, TSZ reversed the gut microbiota dysbiosis in diabetic rats. Finally, Spearman correlation analysis indicated a close relationship between microbiota and metabolites. Collectively, the findings suggest that TSZ alleviates T2DM by modulating endogenous metabolic pathways and gut microbiota, which serve as potential targets for TSZ to enhance its glycemic effects in T2DM.

Ethyl acetate fraction of Striga hermonthica (Delile) Benth. inhibits AGEs-mediated inflammatory markers in THP-1 monocytes Abdoulaye Segda, Priya Tufail, Roland Nâg Tiéro Méda, Aneela Fayaz, Benjamin Kouliga Koama, Georges Anicet Ouédraogo, Humera Jahan, M. Iqbal Choudhary Fitoterapia, volume 189 Tuesday 17 February 2026 The present study investigated the antiglycation activities of extracts and fractions of Phyllanthus amarus , Chrysanthellum americanum , Striga hermonthica and, based on cytotoxicity results, evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of Striga hermonthica ( EtOAc-Sh ) in AGE-challenged THP-1 monocytes. The in vitro me... The present study investigated the antiglycation activities of extracts and fractions of Phyllanthus amarus , Chrysanthellum americanum , Striga hermonthica and, based on cytotoxicity results, evaluated the anti-inflammatory potential of the ethyl acetate fraction of Striga hermonthica ( EtOAc-Sh ) in AGE-challenged THP-1 monocytes. The in vitro methylglyoxal (MGO)-bovine serum albumin (BSA) assay revealed notable inhibition of AGE formation by EtOAc-Sh (IC<inf>50</inf> = 100.1 ± 0.001 μg/mL; quercetin 1.23 μM, gallic acid 0.131 μM, rutin 0.0021 μM), with rutin used as the standard (IC<inf>50</inf> = 402 ± 0.30 μM). Cell metabolic assay showed EtOAc-Sh was non-cytotoxic to HepG2 hepatocytes (∼ 94 % cell viability at 250 μg/mL), and THP-1 monocytes (≥ 90 % cell viability at 500 μg/mL). Moreover, EtOAc-Sh significantly ( p < 0.001) reduced the AGE-mediated ROS production (83 % at 100 μg/mL), as compared to apocynin (69 % at 100 μM). Furthermore, EtOAc-Sh suppressed the NF-κB (p<sup>65</sup>) (RFU: 9.18 at 100 μg/mL) activation, as compared to PDTC (RFU: 6.97) at 100 μM. EtOAc-Sh also significantly ( p < 0.001) reduced the COX-2 levels (1.52-fold decrease at 100 μg/mL; PDTC, 1.68-fold decrease) in THP-1 monocytes, while significantly ( p < 0.001) reversing the AGE-induced suppression of COX-1 levels (1.89-fold increase at 100 μg/mL; PDTC, 1.88-fold increase) at 100 μM. HPLC-UV analysis identified quercetin, gallic acid, and rutin, as the active constituents of the EtOAc-Sh fraction. These findings suggest that EtOAc-Sh fraction as a potential antiglycation, and anti-inflammatory agent, which supporting the traditional use of Striga hermonthica in diabetes management in Burkina Faso.

Unveiling the absorbed bioactive constituents of Cuscuta seeds: A systematic strategy integrating automated MS annotation, in vivo chemometric screening and bioactivity evaluation Xi yang Tang, Ming jia Ma, Meng le Du, Lv qi Xie, Jia jia Chen, Ze xi Tan, Zhi jian Su, Zi qin Dai, Lei Huang, Yi Dai Food Chemistry X, volume 34 Tuesday 17 February 2026 The strategy integrated MATLAB automated MS annotation, in vivo chemometric screening, and progesterone assessment under oxidative stress was established for the identification of absorbed bioactive constituents of Cuscuta seed (CS). MATLAB platform characterized 203 components (flavonols, alkaloids, phenolic acids, etc) in CS extract, outperformin... The strategy integrated MATLAB automated MS annotation, in vivo chemometric screening, and progesterone assessment under oxidative stress was established for the identification of absorbed bioactive constituents of Cuscuta seed (CS). MATLAB platform characterized 203 components (flavonols, alkaloids, phenolic acids, etc) in CS extract, outperforming commercial software through its combinatorial “parent molecules + group fragments” database and automated neutral loss/diagnostic ion matching. This approach was designed to effectively minimize in-source fragmentation false positives, while its dual-dimension similarity algorithm refined molecular networking. Furthermore, 20 prototypes and 46 metabolites were discovered and identified in plasma and urine after oral administration of CS by OPLS-DA and MATLAB analysis platform. Cuscutamine and p-coumaric acid exhibited high systemic exposure. Based on in vivo metabolic analysis, 9 major absorbed constituents were revealed. Hyperoside, ferulic acid, cuscutamine, kaempferol, and quercetin demonstrated significant bioactivity by attenuating H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in R2C Leydig cells and restoring progesterone levels.

Beyond Viscum album: Mistletoe physiology and the pharmacological potential of the extensive Loranthaceae family Pablo Sepúlveda-Orellana, Carlos I. Cataldo, Valentina Nunez-Pascual, Adrián Moreno, Felipe Gordillo-Fuenzalida, María Carolina Otero Journal of Ethnopharmacology, volume 357, pages 120914 Monday 16 February 2026 ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mistletoe extracts from the genus Viscum are widely recognized for their complementary use in cancer therapies. However, many other mistletoe species are employed in ethnopharmacology around the world. The Loranthaceae family is broadly distributed and closely linked to local populations due to its medicinal uses. AI... ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Mistletoe extracts from the genus Viscum are widely recognized for their complementary use in cancer therapies. However, many other mistletoe species are employed in ethnopharmacology around the world. The Loranthaceae family is broadly distributed and closely linked to local populations due to its medicinal uses. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review integrates biological and pharmacological perspectives to highlight the Loranthaceae family as a biodiverse resource of emerging pharmacological importance, considering its distribution, phytochemical diversity, and therapeutic potential. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Studies on biogeography, ecology, plant physiology, phytochemistry, bioactivity, and pharmacology of Viscaceae and Loranthaceae were included. Both qualitative and quantitative syntheses of the available information were carried out. RESULTS: Loranthaceae species are predominantly distributed in the Southern Hemisphere. Their broad biogeographic history has favored considerable evolutionary diversification. The physiology of mistletoes responds to seasonal variations and to biotic and abiotic stresses that influence the accumulation of bioactive compounds. Evidence is presented for 38 Loranthaceae species, showing strong consistency between their traditional uses and the bioactivities investigated. Among these, antioxidant and antitumoral effects, protection of organs and tissues, immunomodulatory properties, antimicrobial and antiviral activity, antidiabetic potential, cardiovascular regulation, neuroactive effects, and cholesterol-lowering activity stand out. A great diversity of secondary metabolites is evident across all species reviewed, including twelve compounds described for the first time through the study of these parasitic plants, such as phenolic glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, and lupeol-based triterpenoid esters. Future perspectives in biomedicine and biotechnology emphasize the need to continue investigating these plants. CONCLUSIONS: Mistletoes of the Loranthaceae family represent a valuable source of chemical and genetic resources with significant pharmacological potential. Their wide distribution and diversity of bioactive compounds position them as promising candidates for drug discovery. Nevertheless, further research is required to elucidate specific mechanisms and to evaluate their effects at subclinical and clinical levels.

Corrigendum to "Semen Cuscutae-Fructus Lycii improves spermatogenic dysfunction by repairing the blood-testis barrier in rats according to in silico and in vitro methods" [J Ethnopharmacol. 274 (2021) 114022 Yutian Zhu, Lei Dong, Jingshang Wang, Qiuning Liu, Hongxuan Tong, Yanfeng Li, Siqi Guan Journal of Ethnopharmacology, volume 355, pages 120189 Monday 16 February 2026 dc:description

Horizontal gene transfer of the Pytheas sequence from Cuscuta to Orobanche via a host-mediated pathway Magdalena Denysenko-Bennett, Dagmara Kwolek, Grzegorz Góralski, Marek Szklarczyk, Renata Piwowarczyk, Saša Stefanović, Adam C. Schneider, Andrzej J. Joachimiak Scientific Reports, volume 16 Sunday 15 February 2026 Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) is a phenomenon of DNA transfer between organisms that does not involve a parent-offspring relationship. HGT is believed to play an important role in all groups of organisms, including plants, and especially in parasites. Here we describe a chain of transfers from Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) to Orobanche rigens (Orobanch... Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) is a phenomenon of DNA transfer between organisms that does not involve a parent-offspring relationship. HGT is believed to play an important role in all groups of organisms, including plants, and especially in parasites. Here we describe a chain of transfers from Cuscuta (Convolvulaceae) to Orobanche rigens (Orobanchaceae)—both parasitic plants—via a host belonging to tribe Genisteae (Fabaceae). During its “journey” between genomes, the transferred sequence, which we named Pytheas, was altered by deletions, additions of new segments from the current genome, substitutions, and rearrangements. This is the first robustly documented case of a multi-step transfer pathway—involving one IGT and two HGTs—connecting three plant species. Specifically, this system involves a host plant mediated gene flow between two distinct parasites without involvement of transposable elements, the cox1 intron, or other vectors. This case also demonstrates how host-parasite interactions can facilitate the spread of genetic material between evolutionarily distant lineages.

Assisting species differentiation and taxonomic classification by hyperspectral imaging: an example from the parasitic plant realm Vasili A. Balios, Samuel Ortega, Karsten Heia, Anna Avetisyan, Kirsten Krause Plant Methods, volume 22 Sunday 15 February 2026 Background: Cuscuta, a genus of parasitic plants, poses a threat to global agriculture by infesting a wide variety of economically important crops and facilitating the transmission of plant viruses. Accurate species identification is crucial for management but is traditionally based on morphological traits that require expert knowledge, limiting ac... Background: Cuscuta, a genus of parasitic plants, poses a threat to global agriculture by infesting a wide variety of economically important crops and facilitating the transmission of plant viruses. Accurate species identification is crucial for management but is traditionally based on morphological traits that require expert knowledge, limiting accessibility and early detection. Hyperspectral imaging, a technique that captures detailed reflectance information across hundreds of narrow and contiguous wavelength bands, offers the potential to non-invasively monitor plant health with high precision. This study aimed to explore whether hyperspectral imaging, combined with machine learning algorithms, can accurately differentiate between host plant tissue and parasitic Cuscuta species and further distinguish among different species within the genus. Results: Hyperspectral images were collected in both the visible-near infrared and short-wave infrared ranges, followed by preprocessing and segmentation of plant material from the background. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index method yielded the most consistent segmentation performance. Random Forest and Neural Network models trained on segmented pixels achieved high classification accuracy and balanced F1 scores of approximately 0.97 in both binary (host versus parasite) and multiclass (species-level) classification. Feature selection using a genetic algorithm and an iterative elbow method successfully reduced the number of spectral bands needed for accurate predictions, identifying key wavelengths associated with chlorophyll content and other biochemical markers. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of hyperspectral imaging combined with machine learning for identifying and classifying parasitic Cuscuta species. The findings highlight the potential of this approach for rapid, non-destructive field diagnostics and precision agriculture applications. As imaging hardware continues to improve and become more affordable, such integrated systems could be deployed in real-world crop monitoring and management to mitigate the impact of parasitic plants on global food production.

Occurrence of common mistletoe (Viscum album subsp. album) on alien tree species in the urban green areas of Wrocław (Poland) Robert Krzysztof Sobolewski, Elżbieta Małgorzata Szopińska, Justyna Jaworek-Jakubska, Piotr Łakomy Urban Ecosystems, volume 29 Saturday 14 February 2026 Common mistletoe (Viscum album) is an evergreen hemiparasitic plant that parasitizes around 200 taxa of trees and shrubs in Poland, including both native and alien species. Most reports from Poland regarding alien host species of mistletoe consist of historical records, mainly from arboreta. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and de... Common mistletoe (Viscum album) is an evergreen hemiparasitic plant that parasitizes around 200 taxa of trees and shrubs in Poland, including both native and alien species. Most reports from Poland regarding alien host species of mistletoe consist of historical records, mainly from arboreta. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and degree of infestation by common mistletoe of alien tree species considered rare in the historic urban green areas of Wrocław. The research encompassed all green areas where the occurrence of these rare species was recorded, noting the number of sites in which infested specimens were found. The study also included an analysis of the frequency of infestation for each tree species. The presence of common mistletoe was found on 19 out of 57 examined taxa. The infested species belonged to 8 genera and 7 families. The results indicate that Quercus palustris, Celtis occidentalis, Carya ovata, Juglans nigra, Aesculus glabra, and Acer tataricum were the species most frequently colonised by Viscum album under urban conditions in Wrocław. In contrast, unlike on other taxa of the Tilia L. genus, no mistletoe was found on Tilia ×euchlora nor on species in the Fabaceae family, even though a member of that family – Robinia pseudoacacia – is a common host in Poland. This work can serve as valuable baseline data on the dynamics of mistletoe spread on selected alien tree species not only in Wrocław and western Poland, but also in Central and Eastern Europe.

Cytogenetic insights of C. argentinana and C. parodiana, two species from section Subulatae (Cuscuta L.– Convolvulaceae) Amalia Ibiapino, Andrea Pedrosa-Harand, Juan Urdampilleta Plant Biosystems, volume 160 Saturday 14 February 2026 Cuscuta exhibits cytogenetic diversity, strongly influenced by heterochromatin dynamics. The genus is divided into four subgenera, Grammica is almost exclusively found in the Americas, and South America is the first major diversification center. Section Subulatae consists of species primarily found in Argentina. To cytogenetically characterize the ... Cuscuta exhibits cytogenetic diversity, strongly influenced by heterochromatin dynamics. The genus is divided into four subgenera, Grammica is almost exclusively found in the Americas, and South America is the first major diversification center. Section Subulatae consists of species primarily found in Argentina. To cytogenetically characterize the section Subulatae and investigate the chromosomal evolution of the subgenus Grammica, CMA/DAPI banding, FISH with 5S and 35S rDNA, and flow cytometry were performed on C. argentinana and C. parodiana. Both species exhibited 2n = 30 with differences in chromosome size and, heterochromatic banding patterns. Cuscuta argentinana has smaller chromosomes and genome (1C = 1.49 Gbp) and a higher number of metacentric chromosomes and CMA⁺/DAPI⁻ bands, whereas C. parodiana (1C = 2.79 Gbp) exhibits heterochromatin accumulation and higher number of submetacentric chromosomes and heterochromatin accumulation. While the rDNA 5S sites number were the same (six sites), C. parodiana presented one more pair of 35S rDNA. The results suggest that Subulatae is mainly represented by diploid species, with variation in genome size observed in C. argentinana, which may be associated with the dynamics of heterochromatin. These findings contribute to understanding of Grammica diversification and the role of heterochromatin in the chromosomal evolution of the genus.

Spatial determinants of mistletoe dispersal in Scots pine dominated forests: Are more complex forest stands less prone to invasion? Leszek Bolibok, Wojciech Kędziora, Michał Brach, Roman Wójcik Forest Ecology and Management, volume 603 Wednesday 04 February 2026 Mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. austriacum) is an increasingly prevalent parasitic plant in European pine forests. It raises concerns among forest managers due to its negative impacts on tree health and timber production. This study investigates the spatial and structural determinants of mistletoe infestation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands wi... Mistletoe (Viscum album ssp. austriacum) is an increasingly prevalent parasitic plant in European pine forests. It raises concerns among forest managers due to its negative impacts on tree health and timber production. This study investigates the spatial and structural determinants of mistletoe infestation in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands within the Kozienicka Forest in Central Poland, using a combination of intensive spatial sampling in field surveys, LiDAR data, and satellite imagery. We analyzed 423 plots using generalized additive models to identify key variables influencing mistletoe presence. Our results show that older and larger trees were most likely to be infested, and these were associated with increased defoliation, while dense, young, even-aged pine stands offer some resistance. Increased shrub cover in the understory and proximity to the forest complex edge significantly elevated infestation likelihood, suggesting bird-mediated seed dispersal is critical. The presence of old-style orchards in the forest's complex surroundings and the proximity to the Vistula River, an important bird migration corridor, may also enhance mistletoe spread. These findings highlight the complex interactions between forest structure, birds' behavior, and mistletoe dynamics, offering valuable insights for forest management strategies to mitigate mistletoe invasion.

Efficacy of the herbal product of Cuscuta campestris Yunck. and Polypodium vulgare L. in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A triple-blind clinical trial Behnaz Bakhshinejad, Abdolreza Sabahi, Tania Dehesh, Zarrin Sarhadynejad, Mehrnaz Mehrabani, Mahdiyeh Khazaneha, Mehrzad Mehrbani, Mitra Mehrabani Journal of Ethnopharmacology, volume 354 Tuesday 03 February 2026 Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cuscuta campestris Yunck. and Polypodium vulgare L. are medicinal plants widely used in traditional Persian medicine to treat various mental health conditions, such as Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Aim of the study: OCD is among the top ten disorders that cause disability and decrease quality of life. Consider... Ethnopharmacological relevance: Cuscuta campestris Yunck. and Polypodium vulgare L. are medicinal plants widely used in traditional Persian medicine to treat various mental health conditions, such as Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Aim of the study: OCD is among the top ten disorders that cause disability and decrease quality of life. Considering the lack of a definitive treatment method and the side effects of the existing drugs, the application of complementary medicine in treating this disorder seems reasonable. The current study aimed to investigate the therapeutic impact of a dodder and polypody herbal product (DPHP) in OCD patients. Materials and methods: In this triple-blind clinical trial, 84 individuals with OCD were assigned to two groups of DPHP and placebo receivers at random. While taking fluvoxamine tablets (100 mg twice daily), the first group was prescribed DPHP tablets, and the second group was prescribed placebo tablets twice daily. The intensity of manifestations and the participant's quality of life were evaluated at the beginning of the trial and after four and eight weeks of intervention using the Yale-Brown and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires, respectively. Results: The severity of OCD symptoms in both groups decreased significantly after four and eight weeks (P-value <0.001). The DPHP group's reduction rate was significantly higher than the placebo group (P-value = 0.043). The quality of life improved significantly in both groups (P-value <0.001). However, the increase in the quality of life in the DPHP group was significantly higher compared to the placebo group (P-value = 0.042). Conclusions: DPHP, taken alongside fluvoxamine, can effectively alleviate the symptoms of OCD and increase the quality of life. Therefore, it could be regarded as a complementary therapeutic alternative to OCD.

Host-dependent variations in antioxidant activity, metabolic profile, and phenolic content of the parasitic plant Phoradendron nervosum Oliv. Raluca A. Mihai, Ramiro F. Vivanco Gonzaga, Fabián A. Silva Ayo, Romina A. López Mendoza, Mishell A. Nicolalde Padilla, Jeimy E. Calahorrano Cabrera, Alvarez R. Chuma, Rodica D. Catana Scientific Reports, volume 16 Monday 02 February 2026 Phoradendron nervosum (hemiparasitic plant) exhibits remarkable metabolic plasticity, with significant variations in bioactive compound content, metabolite profiles, and antioxidant capacity depending on the host species (Laurus nobilis L., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Populus alba L.) and organ type (leaves vs. fruits). A multi-method approach combi... Phoradendron nervosum (hemiparasitic plant) exhibits remarkable metabolic plasticity, with significant variations in bioactive compound content, metabolite profiles, and antioxidant capacity depending on the host species (Laurus nobilis L., Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Populus alba L.) and organ type (leaves vs. fruits). A multi-method approach combining spectrophotometry, complementary antioxidant assays (ABTS, DPPH, FRAP), and complete metabolomic profiling by LC–MS was used to elucidate the biochemical interactions between P. nervosum and its hosts. The results obtained showed a differential distribution of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds, with leaves characterized by higher flavonoid concentrations (e.g., up to 0.286 mg QE/g DW). At the same time, fruits exhibited host-mediated modulations, especially in the species L. nobilis (e.g., the highest TPC at 2.723 mg GAE/g DW). Antioxidant activity was consistently higher in leaves (e.g., up to 41.26 µmol Trolox/g DW in DPPH assay), correlating with their enriched presence of phenolic acids and glycosylated flavonoids. The host species played a determining role in antioxidant capacity, as H. rosa-sinensis-associated plants exhibited the highest levels (e.g., 14.53 µmol Trolox/g DW in ABTS, 24.06 µmol Fe<sup>2+</sup>/g DW in FRAP). Correlation analysis suggested complex biochemical trade-offs influencing metabolic allocations. A diversity of bioactive compounds was identified by LC–MS, highlighting the synergistic interaction between metabolites in defining the physiological response of P. nervosum. Our results highlight its adaptive versatility and ecological significance, but also potential pharmacological applications, given that related mistletoe species from Europe are already used in antitumor treatments.

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Most recent ‘Parasitic Plant’ publications

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International Parasitic Plants Society (IPPS) Latest on our page

International Parasitic Plants Society (IPPS) Latest on our page

International Parasitic Plants Society (IPPS)

Latest on our page

International Parasitic Plants Society (IPPS)

Latest on our page