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Volume 18
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10.3390/toxins18070285
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Article

A Comprehensive Chemical–Biological Investigation of the Moderately Toxic Plant Prospero autumnale: Insights into Its Bioactive Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models

by
Maroua Korichi
1,*,
Ouanissa Smara
1,
Lilya Harchaoui
2,
Gilda D’Urso
3,
Latifa Khattabi
4,
Agostino Casapullo
3,
Gianluigi Lauro
3,
Maria Giovanna Chini
5,
Giuseppe Bifulco
3,
Alessio Cimmino
6,
Hocine Dendougui
1,
Wafa Zahnit
7,
Marco Masi
6,* and
Mahdi Belguidoum
1,8
1
Laboratory of Valorization and Promotion of Saharan Resources (VPRS), Faculty of Mathematics and Matter Sciences, University of Ouargla, Ouargla 30000, Algeria
2
Research Laboratory on Arid Zones (LRZA), Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Sciences and Technology Houari Boumediene (USTHB), BP 32 El-Alia, Bab Ezzouar, Algiers 16111, Algeria
3
Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II 132, 84084 Fisciano, Italy
4
Biotechnology Research Centre, Constantine (CRBT), Ali Mendjli Nouvelle Ville UV 03, BP E73, Constantine 25016, Algeria
5
Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, 86090 Isernia, Italy
6
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, 80126 Naples, Italy
7
Laboratoire de Chimie, Ingénierie Moléculaire et Nanostructures, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ferhat ABBAS Setif 1, El Bez 19000, Algeria
8
Applied Sciences Faculty, University of Ouargla, Ouargla 30000, Algeria
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxins 2026, 18(7), 285; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18070285
Submission received: 27 March 2026 / Revised: 24 June 2026 / Accepted: 26 June 2026 / Published: 30 June 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity of Plant Natural Products and Their Applications)
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Abstract

Prospero autumnale L. is a Mediterranean medicinal plant traditionally employed for inflammatory and neurological disorders. Nonetheless, its safety profile, toxicity, and application for treating inflammation and pain are yet to be comprehensively established. This investigation aimed to assess the bioactivity and toxicity of extracts derived from its aerial (AgP) and underground (UgP) parts. The phytochemical constituents of various P. autumnale extracts were analyzed using LC-MS/MS, and their phenolic content was quantified. The biological activities were evaluated through in vitro assays—including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, acetylcholinesterase-inhibitory, and photoprotection assessments—and in vivo experiments, including evaluations of acute oral toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects. UgP extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant activity, with the methanolic extract exhibiting the highest reducing and superoxide scavenging capacities. Dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts performed exceptionally well in ABTS and DPPH assays. The aqueous extract from AgP exhibited noteworthy anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, surpassing diclofenac in vitro and demonstrating efficacy in vivo. It also showed considerable acetylcholinesterase inhibition, while the ethyl acetate extract displayed high photoprotective potential. The acute toxicity was moderate (LD50: 300–400 mg/kg), indicating dose-dependent risks. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed diverse phenolics potentially contributing to both therapeutic and adverse effects. This research enhances the medicinal prospects of P. autumnale, provides new perspectives on plant utilization, and suggests its potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. However, due to moderate toxicity and dose-dependent effects, cautious application is advised. These findings underscore the importance of toxicological evaluation alongside bioactivity screening in ethnopharmacology to ensure safety.
Keywords: medicinal plants; phenolic compounds; LC–MS/MS analysis; acute toxicity; dose–response; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity medicinal plants; phenolic compounds; LC–MS/MS analysis; acute toxicity; dose–response; antioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity
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MDPI and ACS Style

Korichi, M.; Smara, O.; Harchaoui, L.; D’Urso, G.; Khattabi, L.; Casapullo, A.; Lauro, G.; Chini, M.G.; Bifulco, G.; Cimmino, A.; et al. A Comprehensive Chemical–Biological Investigation of the Moderately Toxic Plant Prospero autumnale: Insights into Its Bioactive Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Toxins 2026, 18, 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18070285

AMA Style

Korichi M, Smara O, Harchaoui L, D’Urso G, Khattabi L, Casapullo A, Lauro G, Chini MG, Bifulco G, Cimmino A, et al. A Comprehensive Chemical–Biological Investigation of the Moderately Toxic Plant Prospero autumnale: Insights into Its Bioactive Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Toxins. 2026; 18(7):285. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18070285

Chicago/Turabian Style

Korichi, Maroua, Ouanissa Smara, Lilya Harchaoui, Gilda D’Urso, Latifa Khattabi, Agostino Casapullo, Gianluigi Lauro, Maria Giovanna Chini, Giuseppe Bifulco, Alessio Cimmino, and et al. 2026. "A Comprehensive Chemical–Biological Investigation of the Moderately Toxic Plant Prospero autumnale: Insights into Its Bioactive Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models" Toxins 18, no. 7: 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18070285

APA Style

Korichi, M., Smara, O., Harchaoui, L., D’Urso, G., Khattabi, L., Casapullo, A., Lauro, G., Chini, M. G., Bifulco, G., Cimmino, A., Dendougui, H., Zahnit, W., Masi, M., & Belguidoum, M. (2026). A Comprehensive Chemical–Biological Investigation of the Moderately Toxic Plant Prospero autumnale: Insights into Its Bioactive Potential Using In Vitro and In Vivo Models. Toxins, 18(7), 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18070285

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