Background/Objectives: Hyperlipidemia is a serious risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and liver steatosis. In this work, we explored the effect of an herbal formula (CBF) containing immature Ceratonia siliqua pods and Ocimum basilicum extracts on lipid metabolism disorders and lipoprotein-rich plasma (LRP) oxidation in mice. Methods: The phenolic composition was determined using HPLC-DAD analysis. The antioxidant activity was studied using various in vitro methods. Acute toxicity was evaluated in mice. Importantly, the effect of the CBF on lipid metabolism disorders was investigated in a high-fat diet (HFD) hyperlipidemia mouse model. An in silico study was carried out to predict underlying mechanisms. Results: The HPLC analysis revealed gallic acid, cinnamic acid, and naringenin as major phenolics of the carob pod aqueous extract. Concerning the basil hydro-ethanolic extract, rosmarinic, chicoric, caftaric, and caffeic acids were the main phenolics. Accordingly, the CBF prevented LRP oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. This formula is not toxic in mice (LD₅₀ > 2000 mg/kg body weight). Moreover, animals administered the CBF at 200 mg/kg/day presented a significant decline in their body weight gain, adipose tissue weight, plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level, and glycaemia after 10 weeks’ treatment. Accordingly, the CBF decreased the plasma atherogenic index and the LDL-C to HDL-C ratio and reduced the level of fats accumulated in the liver. The molecular docking study revealed that chicoric, rosmarinic, and caftaric acids, and naringenin bound particularly strongly to many proteins involved in the regulation of lipid and cholesterol metabolism. This includes the HMG-CoA reductase, PPARα/γ, PCSK9, Cyp7a1, and ATP-citrate lyase. Conclusions: The CBF could be a good source of natural supplements, functional foods, and pharmaceuticals effective in managing hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress and preventing their related cardiovascular disorders.

A medicinal plant from the Beni‐Snassen Forest in the eastern region of Morocco has been studied. This scientific research was carried out to measure the content of essential phytochemical constituents and their antioxidant capacities from the hydromethanolic extract of leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L. located on sites at varying levels of altitudes. Our results have shown that at the lowest altitude, there was a height significant (p ≤ 0.05) in the content of flavonoids and polyphenols. On the other hand, the ascorbic acid, chlorophylls, and tannins had a higher content concentration on sites with high altitudes. Analysis correlation shows a hight correlation between the DPPH and the polyphenols content. A correlation between the total antioxidant activity and flavonoid content was found to have many similarities. The results indicated that P. lentiscus L. leaves have significant sources of chemical compounds that might be employed for various purposes.

The agrobiodiversity in the province of Berkane along the Triffa plain of the NE region of Morocco represents an area characterized by a high diversity of ecosystems that are affected by intense agricultural activities. Therefore, it is essential to study the different agricultural practices that contribute to its protection and preservation. However, no biological measurements are currently being carried out in this region. Between February and April 2023, a set of 30 soil sampling sites was established in six sugar beet fields from two agricultural systems to evaluate the effects of soil management practices on soil macrofaunal communities, litter and soil properties in a Beta vulgaris L. (sugar beet) field in Berkane. In this study, the transition from conventional to organic cultivation has a positive effect on the macrofauna communities, which also contributed to changes in soil edaphic properties. For example, the abundance of macrofauna, was greater in the organic system (780 ± 190 individuals · m−2) than in the conventional farming system (296 ± 69 individuals · m−2). Additionally, the biomass of soil macrofauna increased almost twofold during the transition to the organic farming system. However, the diversity was similar between the two different agricultural systems, with a slight increase in specific richness in the organic farming system compared with that in the other conventional farming system. We assume that the feedback of soil macrofauna to farming systems could be due to the indirect impact of pesticides via changes in habitat conditions.

Species of the Opuntia genus are widely recognized for their richness in bioactive metabolites and antioxidant potential, particularly in their cladodes. However, despite increasing interest in cochineal-resistant cultivars, their genotoxic safety remains poorly explored. In this study, the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, and genotoxic effects of cladode extracts from three Dactylopius opuntiae-resistant Opuntia species (O. ficus-indica, O. robusta, and O. stricta) collected in eastern Morocco were comparatively evaluated. Hydroethanolic extracts were characterized for their biochemical composition and screened for antioxidant activity using DPPH, β-carotene bleaching, FRAP, and total antioxidant capacity assays. An untargeted UHPLC-Orbitrap MS/MS approach was applied to profile secondary metabolites, while genotoxicity was assessed using the comet assay on rat leukocyte DNA. The three species exhibited distinct phytochemical and antioxidant profiles. O. ficus-indica showed the highest total phenolic and flavonoid contents and the strongest radical scavenging and reducing capacities, whereas O. stricta was particularly rich in ascorbic acid and exhibited the highest total antioxidant capacity. Metabolomic analysis revealed a predominance of phenolic acids and flavonoids, with piscidic acid as a major constituent, along with isorhamnetin derivatives and organic acids. Importantly, none of the extracts induced genotoxic effects compared to the negative control, while all differed significantly from the oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide. Overall, these findings demonstrate the phytochemical richness, antioxidant potential, and genotoxic safety of cochineal-resistant Opuntia cladodes, supporting their sustainable valorization in food, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and agricultural applications.

This study examined the diversity and abundance of soil mesofauna and their relationships with soil physicochemical properties under organic and conventional management systems, compared to native vegetation, in rural areas of Berkane, Oriental region of Morocco. A total of 1,248 mesofauna individuals were collected and identified, with Acari and Collembola being the dominant groups across all land-use systems, collectively accounting for more than 50% of the total abundance. Among the three systems, native vegetation (NV) exhibited the highest mesofauna richness and abundance, followed by organic management (OM) and conventional management (CM). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) revealed distinct associations between specific mesofauna groups and land-use types. Dermaptera, Hemiptera, and Thysanoptera were primarily linked to OM, whereas Acari, Aranae, and Chilopoda were prevalent NV. Soil physicochemical properties varied significantly among the systems, with NV showing higher organic carbon and moisture content. OM exhibiting increased phosphorus and clay content, and CM having elevated levels of calcium and potassium. Despite these differences, no significant correlations were found between mesofauna diversity and soil properties, suggesting that other factors, such as biotic interactions or microclimatic conditions, may play a more pivotal role in shaping mesofauna communities. These findings underscore the crucial role highlight the importance of native vegetation in conserving soil biodiversity and indicate that organic management can serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional agricultural practices. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of land-use systems on soil health and biodiversity, emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural strategies in the region.

Background: Hyperlipidemia is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and is closely associated with oxidative stress. Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) cladodes are recognized as a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their metabolic benefits remain incompletely understood. Objectives: This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective potential of a polyphenol-rich O. ficus-indica cladode extract (OCE) using an integrated approach combining in vivo evaluation, untargeted metabolomics (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS), molecular docking, and ADMET prediction. Methods: Hyperlipidemic mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were treated with OCE, while molecular docking was performed on ten major annotated phytochemicals against twelve key proteins involved in lipid metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis, including HMGCR, FAS, PPARα, PCSK9, and NPC1L1, using simvastatin as the reference compound. Results: OCE treatment significantly improved plasma and hepatic lipid profiles, improved glucose homeostasis, and markedly reduced hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating attenuation of oxidative stress. Histopathological analysis further supported a pronounced hepatoprotective effect, with a substantial reduction in hepatic steatosis. Untargeted metabolomics enabled the annotation of 102 metabolites, putatively identifying piscidic acid as the predominant phenolic constituent together with a diverse profile of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Molecular docking supported the potential contribution of these phytochemicals to the regulation of lipid metabolism through favorable interactions with multiple therapeutic targets, while ADMET prediction suggested an overall favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile despite the lower intestinal permeability predicted for glycosylated derivatives. Conclusions: Overall, these findings support O. ficus-indica cladodes as a promising source of dietary bioactive compounds with potential applications in the nutritional management and prevention of hyperlipidemia and related cardiometabolic disorders.