The botanical study, phytochemical composition, and biological activities of Laurus nobilis L. leaves: A review

Laurus nobilis is native to the southern Mediterranean region. It a small tree from Lauraceae family. The leaves of L. are most exploited part plant due not only high produced quantity but large benefits and extensive use in different fields including culinary, cosmetic, therapeutic, pharmacologic. various beneficial health properties attributed bay related presence bioactive compounds. Chemically, they contain numerous essential elements, some vitamins, many secondary metabolites such as oils (cineole, linalool, eugenol), phenolic compounds, particularly acids (ferulic, protocatechuic, caffeic acids, etc.) flavonoids (such catechin, kaempferol, apigenin, quercetin, their derivatives), alkaloids (noraporphins aporphins). Laurel used flavor dishes, present several that justified traditional against illnesses, for rheumatism, indigestion, diarrhea. Bay an component industrial applications agrifoods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals. Due cited chemical constituents leaves, biological pharmacological have been reported antioxidant, antibacterial, fungicidal, antiviral, insecticidal, wound healing, antimutagen, anticonvulsant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory activities. This review provides overview beginning with botanical aspects, its preparation composition, followed by discussion about abundant finally uses therapeutic effects.