In Vivo and In Silico Evaluation of Biological Effects of <i>Laurus nobilis</i> Leaf Extract on Model Pest <i>Galleria mellonella</i>

Numerous insecticides utilized for pest control contribute to environmental pollution. For this reason, it is important to develop alternative strategies that reduce the adverse impacts associated with toxic insecticides. This study investigated the biological effects of Laurus nobilis ( L. nobilis ) leaf extract on the model pest Galleria mellonella ( G. mellonella ), focusing on survival rates, developmental times, and molecular interactions. This study demonstrated that dietary L. nobilis leaf extract significantly reduced the survival rate and prolonged the developmental stages of G. mellonella larvae. The study also investigated the binding potentials of key compounds in L. nobilis , such as methyl‐eugenol, α ‐terpinyl acetate, sabinene, linalool, 1,8‐cineole, quercetin, α ‐pinene, eugenol, and terpinen‐4‐ol, with the juvenile hormone binding protein through molecular docking analyses. Results showed strong interactions, particularly between quercetin and the juvenile hormone binding protein, suggesting potential for L. nobilis ‐derived compounds in pest management. Molecular docking revealed quercetin binding affinities of −7.3 kcal/mol with Juvenile binding protein. The findings highlight the efficacy of plant‐derived bioinsecticides as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional chemical insecticides.