Phenolic Profiling of Laurus nobilis by LC-ESI-MS/MS: In Vitro Bioactivities and In Silico Enzyme Docking

Area of Science:

• Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
• Natural Product Chemistry
• Medicinal Plant Research

Background:

• Laurus nobilis (Bay Laurel) is a plant with traditional medicinal uses.
• Phenolic compounds are known for their diverse biological activities.
• Understanding the specific activities of different plant parts is crucial for potential applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate phenolic composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic activities of Laurus nobilis extracts.
• To investigate the molecular interactions of key phenolics with target enzymes using molecular docking.
• To compare the efficacy of branch, leaf, and fruit extracts.

Main Methods:

• LC-ESI-MS/MS for quantitative phenolic profiling.
• In vitro assays for antioxidant capacity (TPC, FRAP, DPPH).
• Antimicrobial activity testing (MIC determination).
• Enzyme inhibition assays for α-amylase and α-glucosidase.
• Molecular docking simulations.

Main Results:

• 31 phenolic compounds identified; epicatechin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, and rutin were predominant in branches and leaves.
• Branches and leaves displayed superior antioxidant capacity.
• Fruits showed the most significant inhibitory effects against α-amylase and α-glucosidase (IC50 values of 4.31 and 8.97 mg/mL).
• Leaves were most effective against Bacillus cereus, and fruits against Candida albicans.
• Molecular docking indicated strong binding affinities for rutin and luteolin with α-amylase/α-glucosidase.

Conclusions:

• Laurus nobilis extracts possess significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic properties.
• Branches and leaves are rich sources of antioxidants.
• Fruit extracts demonstrate promising antidiabetic potential, possibly due to specific phenolic compounds.
• Further research, including fractionation and in vivo studies, is warranted to validate these findings.