PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF LAURUS NOBILIS L. LEAVES COLLECTED FROM TWO REGIONS OF SOUTH CAUCASUS

The ethanolic extracts of Laurus nobilis L. collected from Tavush region of Armenia (L. nobilisA) and Zugdidi region of Georgia (L. nobilisG) were analyzed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antioxidant activities of ethanolic and aqueous extracts were determined using 2,2-diphenyl-picrilhydrazyl (DPPH) discoloration method, and total flavonoids content was evaluated by aluminum chloride colorimetric method. It was reported that that the major compound in both extracts is an oxygenated monoterpene 1.8-cineole (eucalyptol). Other predominant compounds of both extracts are -thujene, -pinene, β-pinene, D-limonene, o-cymene. L. nobilisG has a terpineol and β-phellandrene which are absent in L. nobilisA. The highest antiradical activity was detected in L. nobilisG leaf ethanolic extract and the lowest - in aqueous leaf extract of L. nobilisA. IC50 value of L. nobilisG ethanolic extract is equal to that of wild laurel while IC50 of L.nobilisА ethanolic extract is comparable to that of the cultivated plants.Total flavonoids content both in ethanolic and aqueous extracts of L. nobilisА are 1.5 and 1.4 times less than that of L. nobilisG leaves extract, respectively. It was revealed a positive correlation between the total flavonoids content and the antiradical activity of L. nobilis leaves extracts.