Phytochemical profiling, acute toxicity, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Cypriot Allium ampeloprasum L. bulb extract in Wistar albino rats

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The genus Allium is a chemically diverse source of bioactive secondary metabolites, yet wild populations remain unevenly studied. Wild Allium ampeloprasum L. from Cyprus is underexplored despite evidence that the species contains phenolic, flavonoid and organosulfur constituents with diverse bioactivity. This study provides a locality-specific phytochemical and in-vivo evaluation of its methanolic bulb extract (AAB). Objectives: To characterise AAB and assess its acute toxicity, antinociceptive and local anti-inflammatory activity in Wistar albino rats. Methods: Dried bulb powder (50.0 g) was macerated in methanol, yielding 2.906 g extract (5.812%). Constituents were quantified by LC-MS/MS and screened using SwissADME and ProTox-III. Acute toxicity followed the two-phase Lorke design using 12 rats. Three independent efficacy cohorts (25 rats each; n = 5/group) received distilled water, AAB at 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg, or piroxicam 20 mg/kg. Antinociception was assessed by writhing, hot-plate and formalin tests and local anti-inflammatory activity by formalin-induced paw oedema. Biochemical, haematological, ESR and CRP measurements were performed after the final 5-h paw oedema assessment. Results: Thirteen constituents were quantified, with caffeic acid and trans-ferulic acid showing the highest relative abundances. No mortality occurred up to 5000 mg/kg, although transient clinical signs were observed. AAB reduced writhing by 45.8%, 69.5% and 91.5% at 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively (adjusted p = 0.0035, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001). Hot-plate latency increased significantly only at 500 mg/kg (adjusted p = 0.0067). Paw licking decreased at all concentrations in both formalin phases (adjusted p < 0.0001), with late-phase inhibition of 85.71-95.71%. Paw oedema inhibition at 5-h was 66.67-71.11%. Post-oedema blood analyses showed selected biochemical changes without a consistent concentration-related pattern. Conclusion: AAB demonstrated antinociceptive and local anti-inflammatory activity in rat models. Absence of mortality does not establish safety; further standardisation, mechanistic investigation and longer-duration toxicity studies are required.