Dicoumarol, a coumarin-like compound, is known for its anticoagulant properties associated with the ability to inhibit vitamin K, being prescribed as a drug for several decades. The pharmaceutical value of dicoumarol turned it into a focus of chemists’ attention, aiming its synthesis and of dicoumarol derivatives, bringing to light new methodologies. In recent years, several other bioactive effects have been claimed for dicoumarol and its derivatives, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anticancer, although the mechanisms of action underlying them are mostly not disclosed and additional research is needed to unravel them. This review presents a state of the art on the chemistry of dicoumarols, and their potential anticancer characteristics, highlighting the mechanisms of action elucidated so far. In parallel, we draw attention to the lack of in vivo studies and clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy as drugs for later application.
After more years since the first notification, the following species of pests Metcalfa pruinosa, Nezara viridula and Halyomorpha halys are still present in agroecosystems in Romania. The high polyphagism, the easy adaptability to new areas and host plant species as well as the lack of a well-defined strategy to fight are characteristics that have contributed to maintaining an active population that still produces damage. Through the present paper, we have proposed to bring attention to their evolution since their first signalling on various plant species from various agroecosystems. We also focused on the current analysis of the numerical level of the active and inactive stages and the damages produced in agricultural and horticultural crops in the west of the country, in period 2020-2022. As a result of the evolution study, it was found that all 3 targeted species are still present on a large number of plant species from agro-horticultural crops composition (both in open or closed spaces). The active (nymphs and adults) and inactive (eggs) stages were observed on the analysed plants and their level was high especially in the species of M. pruinosa and H. halys, while the species of N. viridula species, registered a slight decrease. Thus, the damages produced were commensurate with the numerical level. Continuous monitoring of these highly agile polyphagous pests is necessary to prevent the gradual increase in populations in public places (parks) and the extension to plants in agroecosystems.
Corn crops in Romania shelter a large number of insects and spiders, some of them harm the plants (pests) while others are useful (natural enemies). Bearing in mind the wide variety of species present and the high numerical quantity of recent years, we set out to find and exploit those capable of keeping pests under control in the context of the current focus on biological solutions to the detriment of chemical ones. Thus, in 2021-2022 we analyzed the set of pests and natural enemies from 2 lots of corn grown organically, from 2 agricultural companies in the western region. The results showed a great diversity and positive interactions, analyzed both in the open field and in cages. The effectiveness rate of ladybugs in preying on aphids was high (81%) and that of spiders in preying on leaf beetles (Diabrotica, Oulema, Phyllotreta and Chaetocnema) was still high (76.25%). The activity of the parasitoid wasps was reflected in a lower effectiveness rate (parasitized aphids) (14.84%), as was the case of the oophagous wasps that parasitized 10.71% of Ostrinia and Helicoverpa eggs. The future approach to pest management in organic corn crops should include exploitation of existing natural enemies, an affordable solution at low cost.
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