Pathogenic microorganisms are causative agents for different types of serious and even lethal infectious diseases. Despite advancements in medication, bacterial and fungal infections continue to be a growing problem in health care. As more and more bacteria become resistant to antibiotics used in therapy and an increasing number of invasive fungal species become resistant to current antifungal medications, there is considerable interest in the development of new compounds with antimicrobial activity. The compounds containing a heterocyclic ring play an important role among organic compounds with biological activity used as drugs in human and veterinary medicine or as insecticides and pesticides in agriculture. Thiadiazoles belong to the classes of nitrogen–sulfur heterocycles with extensive application as structural units of biologically active molecules and as useful intermediates in medicinal chemistry. The potency of the thiadiazole nucleus is demonstrated by the drugs currently used. 1,3,4-Thiadiazoles and some of their derivatives are extensively studied because of their broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. The aim of this review was to highlight the main antimicrobial properties exhibited by derivatives possessing 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety. Many of the reported 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives can be considered as lead compounds for drug synthesis, and several of them have demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity in comparison to standard drugs. Furthermore, taking into account the reactivity of the amine group in the derivatization process, 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety may be a good scaffold for future pharmacologically active 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives.

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The purpose of the study was to demonstrate in vitro antioxidant activity and in vivo toxicity of the Artemisia Annua L. extract. The plant was harvested from Bihor area (Crisul Repede and Negru river valleys), Romania. Preparation of the plant product and of the lyophilizated extract was carried out in accordance with the Romanian Pharmacopeia Xth Edition. Lyophilized extract was evaluated in terms of polyphenol content using HPLC method. Antioxidant activity was highlighted using the DPPH, ABTS and FRAP methods. Hepatic, renal and haematological toxicity studies have been performed on laboratory mice. For this purpose blood and organs were collected. Biochemical and haematological parameters were determined on the blood samples and histopathological examination was performed on organs. In vitro antioxidant effect of Artemisia Annua L extract and its lack of in vivo toxicity were demonstrated. It is desirable to obtain a new phytoproduct harvested from spontaneous flora of Romania with antioxidant / antitumoral properties and which is devoid of toxicity.

The Aim of the Research: Anethum graveolens (dill) is a common herb used in traditional Romanian cuisine, as well as in phytotherapy. Dill seeds have been reported to be rich in antioxidants. As interest in food additives of natural origin has increased in recent years, the purpose of this paper was to study the composition and antioxidant potential of Romanian dill seeds. Methodology: In this study, the total phenolics contents, the phenolic profile, and the antioxidant properties of the methanolic and hydromethanolic extracts of Romanian dill seeds were investigated. Folin-Ciocalteu assay, DPPH spectrophotometrically method and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography RP-HPLC, respectively were applied. Results: The highest content of total phenolics was found in acidified methanol samples (46.5 - 46.8 mg GAE/g dry seeds). RP-HPLC analysis highlights important content of quercetin, kaempferol, caffeic acid, sinapic acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, (±) - catechin and umbelliferone. Antioxidant activity, measured via DPPH free radical scavenging ability, showed very high values (93.5 - 95.6% for the crude extracts and 67.5 - 93.2% for extracts at a concentration of 0.25 mg/mL). Methanolic extract exhibited the best IC50 value (88.7 ± 0.01 μg/mL). Conclusion: All experiments proved the antioxidant activity of dill seed extracts.

To increase the sustainability of footwear and align it with the circular bioeconomy, there is a pressing need to develop novel bio-based materials to replace the synthetic polymers currently used. In this study, casein-based films were prepared by solution casting with a tannic acid cross-linker, and a glycerol plasticizer. The properties important to footwear materials were characterised, including tensile strength and elongation, stitch strength, hardness, grain cracking strength, water vapour permeability, and thermal properties. The tannic acid imparted a brown colour to the films with good resistance to light-induced fading. Their tensile strengths were 4–5 N/mm2, elongation at break 45%–73%, and water vapour permeability 0.2–0.6 mg/(cm2h), depending upon the levels of the cross-linker and plasticiser. The strength of the films was close to those of some non-leather footwear materials such as compact rubbers and insock materials, but below that required for leather shoe vamps/uppers. The casein films were successfully used in sneaker- and ballerina-style shoes as components of the insock and decorative design elements on the vamp. This work has demonstrated the concept of using casein films in footwear. The properties of the films could be improved by further research, particularly with respect to cross-linking, plasticizing, and combining with bio-based fibers and fabrics.