Phytochemical Profiling and Health Benefits of Chloroform and Methanol Extracts of <i>Laurus nobilis</i> (Bay Leaf)

<i>Background:</i> <i>Laurus nobilis, </i>commonly known as bay leaf, is widely used in global cuisine for flavouring soups and stews, as well as in baked foods and desserts. The present study aims to characterize the phytochemical composition of chloroform and methanol extracts of <i>Laurus nobilis</i> using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis. <i>Materials and Methods:</i> Dried Bay leaves were locally sourced, properly identified, and authenticated. The leaves were extracted using cold maceration to obtain chloroform (CELN) and methanol (MELN) extracts of <i>Laurus nobilis</i>. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening, along with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, was performed following standard protocols. <i>Results:</i> The qualitative analysis of CELN and MELN confirmed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, steroids, saponins, alkaloids, and carbohydrates. Quantitative analysis indicated that MELN contained higher levels of phenols (11.34 mg/100g), tannins (5.20 mg/100g), and carbohydrates (16.23 mg/100g). GC-MS analysis identified 87 and 98 compounds in CELN and MELN, respectively, with 10 compounds common to both extracts. The most abundant (≥5%) compounds in MELN were Spiro(1,3,3-trimethylindoline)-2,5’-pyrrolidin-2-one (8.35%), 7,10,13-Hexadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester (12.75%), Azuleno(4,5-b)furan-2(3H)-one, 3a,4,6a,7,8,9,9a,9b-octahydro-6-methyl-3,9-bis(methylene) (9.09%), and n-Hexadecenoic acid (18.25%). For CELN, the most abundant compounds were Buta-1,3-diyne,1,4-bis(2-methoxycarbonylcyclopropyl) (5.11%), Azuleno[6,5-b]furan-2,5-dione, decahydro-4a,8-dimethyl-3-methylene-,3aR-(3aα,4a,7aα,8β,9aα) (5.75%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (5.89%), phytol (7.57%), and Benzene, 1-phenyl-4-(2,2-dicyanoethenyl) (13.91%). <i>Conclusion:</i> This study highlights the rich phytochemical and bioactive profile of <i>Laurus nobilis</i> (bay leaf) extracts, reinforcing their potential in disease management. It also underscores the need for comprehensive pharmacological investigations of its bioactive compounds to support drug discovery efforts.