Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the fourth most consumed oleaginous plant in the world, producing seeds with high contents of lipids, proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Biological activities of different extracts of this species have already been evaluated by many researchers, including antioxidant, antitumoral, and antibacterial. In this work, the allelopathic activity of extracts from different Brazilian peanut cultivars against lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and two weed plants (Commelina benghalensis and Ipomoea nil) was studied. Aerial parts, roots, seeds, and seed coats were used for the preparation of crude extracts. Seed extract partitioning was performed with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and aqueous residue. Germination and growth of hypocotyls and rootlets were evaluated after one and five days of incubation with plant extracts, respectively. Crude seed extract and its dichloromethanic partition displayed highest allelopathic activity. These results contribute for the study of new potential natural herbicides.

Cancer is considered the leading cause of death worldwide, and the number of new cases is expected to rise over the next few years. In this context, plant materials are increasingly studied in the search for substances to prevent and/or treat this disease. In this work, the cytotoxic activity of extracts from plants and friable calluses of five Brazilian peanut cultivars (IAC 886, IAC Caiapó, IAC Tatu ST, IAC 8112 and BR-1) against a leukemic cell line (K562) was compared. Inhibition of K562 cells viability (79.8%) was significantly higher in response to extracts from calluses of cultivar IAC 886 as compared to extracts of aerial parts of in vivo and in vitro plants from the same cultivar. Callus extracts displayed low toxicity on non-tumor cells (NIH-3T3 fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells). Trans-resveratrol was found in extracts from aerial HIGHLIGHTS• Trans-resveratrol was detected in all extracts from in vivo plants.• Other compounds displayed UV spectrum compatible with phenolic compounds.• Cultivar IAC886 calluses extract showed highest cytotoxic activity by MTT assay.• Brazilian peanut cultivars tested varied in composition and cytotoxic activities.

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is the fourth most consumed oleaginous in the world, producing highly energetic seeds, rich in lipids, proteins, vitamins and carbohydrates. Several bioactive constituents and pharmacological activities have already been observed in extracts of roots, leaves and seeds, including resveratrol. In this work, we report a study of two extraction methodologies,