Phytochemical Screening and Antioxidant Activity of Laurus nobilis L.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are high reactive molecules involved in many physiological processes and have been associated with many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.
Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in discovering natural antioxidants for use in food and medicinal materials to replace synthetic antioxidants since such antioxidants are being restricted due to their side effects like carcinogenicity.
Many studies suggested on medicinal plants have supported the idea that plant constituents with antioxidant activity are capable of exerting protective effects against oxidative stress in biological systems.
Laurus nobilis L. (bay leaves) which commonly known since ancient times as daphne tree, belongs to Lauraceae family, being a native plant from the Mediterranean region. It’s a plant of industrial importance, used extensively in the food industry as well as in drugs and cosmetics.
There are many investigations on antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil obtained from Laurus nobilis L. However, in Morocco still almost little work has been done about phytochemical screening, polyphenolic compounds and antioxidants activity of this important plant.
In this study, we have determined phytochemical compounds include tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins with different standard phytochemical methods. Total phenolic was estimated by Foline-ciocalteu method, total flavonoid content was determined by colorimetric method. Hydroacetonic (70% acetone) and hydroalcoolic extracts (70% ethanol) with maceration for one hour at room temperature with stirring werre also monitored by their antioxidant ability by using different in vitro methods (DPPH and ABTS). These preliminary results suggest that Laurus nobilis L., is a promising source of natural products including phenols, flavonoids and antioxidants that could offer protection against oxidative stress, and can reduce free radicals and prevent chronic diseases.