Phytopathogenic fungi are among the most serious threats to global crop production, particularly for major staple crops such as wheat, rice, and potato. For decades, agriculture has relied heavily on chemical fungicides to limit the damage caused by these pathogens. Although these products have demonstrated strong efficacy in controlling plant diseases, their intensive and often uncontrolled use has generated significant environmental and public health concerns. Chemical fungicides contribute to soil and water degradation, increase the risk of toxic residues in food products, and pose long-term hazards to human health. Additionally, repeated applications have accelerated the emergence of resistant fungal populations, gradually undermining the effectiveness of conventional disease-management strategies.
The Dahlia species has remarkable therapeutic potential due to its biochemical composition, which includes inulin, phenols, amino acids, and organic acids. This medicinal potential has sparked increased interest among various research groups. Thus, plant extracts of Dahlia sp. are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in preclinical and clinical studies, demonstrating their effectiveness and qualities in this field of research. At the same time, selenium nanoparticles extracted from Dahlia pinnata Cav. have significant anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial properties. Currently, most of the medical research is conducted in the preclinical stage. These medicinal properties and biomedical applications make the genus Dahlia highly studied, not for its amazing phenotypic diversity, but for its therapeutic potential, which is still unknown and can describe new research opportunities in the treatment of severe human conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Medicinal plants have historically represented a major therapeutic resource in traditional medicine due to their high content of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological properties. They constitute an essential component of plant biodiversity and are distributed across all continents, particularly in temperate and subtropical regions, where numerous species with high therapeutic potential occur. Among these, members of the Asteraceae family are notable for their alkamides and other phytochemicals associated with various biological effects. Species of the Echinacea genus, native to North America, have been extensively studied for their immunostimulatory and anti-infective properties and are widely used in both human and veterinary medicine. In recent years, concerns regarding the adverse effects of antibiotics and synthetic additives in animals have increased interest in medicinal plant extracts as natural alternatives in animal nutrition. However, physiological and metabolic differences among species can markedly influence the efficacy and safety of these compounds and certain extracts may be ineffective or contraindicated in equines. This paper aims to synthesize existing data on the use of Echinacea spp. in equine nutrition, highlighting its effects on nutritional and physiological status and contributing to the foundation for future research in equine husbandry.
The protection of agricultural ecosystems aims to achieve a balance between biocenosis and biotope, between the plant and animal world within the perimeter of agricultural lands. In order to reduce the populations of harmful species, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive control strategy, a strategy that aims to include alternative methods in order to reduce pesticide residues in fruits intended for consumption. From the category of pheromones, sexual attractants are of particular practical interest. They represent an alternative for controlling harmful insects to avoid contamination of plants with insecticides. Within these alternative methods, a special place is occupied by the use of sexual pheromones, pheromones synthesized at the ICC "Raluca Ripan", Cluj-Napoca, used mainly for monitoring.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria), one of the oldest medicinal plants used in phytotherapy, is a perennial species native to Europe, now widespread across multiple continents and present in the spontaneous local flora. The etymology of its name traces back to the ancient town of Nepete, while the epithet cataria derives from the Latin cattus, referring to the characteristic euphoric reaction displayed by felines when exposed to the plant—an effect attributed to nepetalactone, an aromatic compound found in its leaves and stems. The fresh aerial parts contain 0.3–1% essential oil rich in nepetalactone terpenes, known for their repellent properties against flies and mosquitoes. Traditionally used in the treatment of colds and influenza, catnip exhibits a broad spectrum of therapeutic effects, including anxiolytic, antispasmodic, antitussive, carminative, diaphoretic, sedative, stomachic, and aperitive tonic actions. It is recommended for neurological disorders and pain alleviation and is also employed in pediatric care. Infusions help reduce symptoms such as diarrhea, convulsions, and parasitic infections in children, while in adults, catnip enemas relieve headaches and support urinary flow. Catnip has extensive applications, serving as an adjuvant in various pathological conditions, including infectious diseases (chickenpox, tuberculosis, malaria, pneumonia), respiratory disorders (asthma, coughs, colds), digestive and ocular disorders, and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. Its bioactive compounds constitute natural sources for homeopathic treatments. Beyond its medicinal uses, catnip is also valued in the food, cosmetic, and agricultural industries, highlighting its therapeutic and economic versatility.
