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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Dawson, Georgia » National Peanut Research Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #260174
Title: Biological activity of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) phytoalexins and selected natural and synthetic stilbenoids

Author
item Sobolev, Victor
item KHAN, SHABANA - University Of Mississippi
item Tabanca, Nurhayat
item Wedge, David
item MANLY, SUSAN - University Of Mississippi
item CUTLER, STEPHEN - University Of Mississippi
item Coy, Monique
item Becnel, James
item NEFF, SCOTT - University Of Iowa
item GLOER, JAMES - University Of Iowa

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2011
Publication Date: 2/11/2011
Citation: Sobolev, V.S., Khan, S.I., Tabanca, N., Wedge, D.E., Manly, S.P., Cutler, S.J., Coy, M.R., Becnel, J.J., Neff, S.A., Gloer, J.B. 2011. Biological Activity of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea) Phytoalexins and Selected Natural and Synthetic Stilbenoids. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 59(5):1673-1682.

Interpretive Summary: The peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea L.), when infected by a fungus (mold), is capable of producing defensive antifungal compounds. Despite considerable progress in peanut research, relatively little is known about the biological activity of these compounds. This report provides details of the activities of some of these compounds, called stilbenoids, in a broad spectrum of biological assays. Since peanut stilbenoids appear to play roles in plant defense mechanisms, they were evaluated for their effect on economically important plant pathogenic. We further investigated these peanut stilbenoids, together with some related natural and synthetic stilbenoids (a total of 24 compounds) in various bioassays to determine their anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and antioxidant activities. Stilbenoids were also evaluated as possible enhancers of known pain-killers such as morphine. Assays for mosquito larvae toxicity were performed as well. The results of these studies reveal that peanut stilbenoids, as well as related natural and synthetic stilbenoids, display a diverse range of biological activities.

Technical Abstract: The peanut plant (Arachis hypogaea L.), when infected by a microbial pathogen, is capable of producing stilbene-derived compounds that are considered antifungal phytoalexins. In addition, the potential health benefits of other stilbenoids from peanuts, including resveratrol and pterostilbene have been acknowledged by several investigators. Despite considerable progress in peanut research, relatively little is known about the biological activity of the stilbenoid phytoalexins. This report provides details of the activities of some of these compounds in a broad spectrum of biological assays. Since peanut stilbenoids appear to play roles in plant defense mechanisms, they were evaluated for their effect on economically important plant pathogenic fungi of the genera Colletotrichum, Botrytis, Fusarium, and Phomopsis. We further investigated these peanut phytoalexins, together with some related natural and synthetic stilbenoids (a total of 24 compounds) in a panel of bioassays to determine their anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and antioxidant activities in mammalian cells. Several of these compounds were also evaluated as mammalian opioid receptor competitive antagonists. Assays for adult mosquito and larvae toxicity were performed as well. The results of these studies reveal that peanut stilbenoids, as well as related natural and synthetic stilbene derivatives, display a diverse range of biological activities.