Phytochemical composition and antioxidant efficacy of Laurus nobilis L.: impact of sex, plant stage, and extraction solvents

Abstract

Introduction Laurus nobilis L., a botanical name for bay leaf, is a widely used spice and medicinal herb. The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of solvent extraction, plant stage, and sex on the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of crude extracts obtained from the roots, shoots, and leaves of male and female L. nobilis shrubs that are cultivated in Northern Morocco. Method Primary and secondary metabolites were found by phytochemical screening, and colorimetric techniques were used to measure the total phenolic, flavonoid, and flavanol concentrations. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-FID) was used to examine the extract's phytoconstituents. Antioxidant activity was assessed using phosphomolybdate, DPPH, and ABTS tests. Results According to the findings, L. nobilis is a rich source of bioactive chemicals that may be used in therapeutic and medical settings. extracts of female tree shoots and leaves had the greatest total phenolic contents. The leaves of both male and female trees had the greatest total flavonoid content. Ten phenolic chemicals, including gallic acid, quercetin, and caffeic acid, were found in variable amounts in all of the extracts according to the GC-FID analysis. According to the ABTS technique, female tree shoots and shrub leaves had the greatest levels of antioxidant activity. Furthermore, the ADME study revealed that most compounds had high intestinal absorption, fulfilling the Lipinski criterion and indicating their potential for development as oral drugs. Discussion The phytochemical characteristics and antioxidant activities of L. nobilis L. may be significantly impacted by sex, plant stage, and solvent extraction, as shown by these studies, which also highlight the plant's potential for use in the pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics sectors.