Isolation and identification of cytotoxic compounds from Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis)

Bay leaf belongs to the family Lauraceae, and it is one of the most popular culinary spices in all Western countries. Bay leaf has been used as herbal medicine and has pharmacological activity which includes anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-diabetes and anti-inflammatory effects. The goal of this study was to identify compounds from Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis), which are responsible for inducing apoptosis using bioassay-directed isolation. The isolation of active compounds was carried out in three steps: multiple extractions, fractionation using column chromatography and purification using semi-preparative HPLC. The structure of separated compounds was determined on the basis of 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry data, and electron ionization mass spectrometry. Six compounds were identified; all of them are sesquiterpene lactones.