Potential of Laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) Leaf Polyphenols for Modulation of Body Composition

Abstract

Featured Application: Based on the properties evaluated in this review, laurel leaf polyphenols could promote healthy aging by preventing or abating various metabolic disorders and modulating body composition. They could also be therapeutic for noncommunicable diseases characterized by inflammation and oxidative stress in younger individuals triggered by sedentary lifestyle and nonoptimal dietary patterns. Due to increased life spans and senescence in society, there is a growing need for supplements that enable healthy aging. Aging is accompanied by changes in body composition such as loss of bone and muscle mass and increase/redistribution of adipose tissue. These changes may, at least in part, be alleviated by exercise, adequate diet and possibly some natural adjuvants. Laurel (L. nobilis L.) leaves are rich in secondary metabolites, especially polyphenols (mostly flavonols, phenolic acids and flavones) which have recently showed potential for modulation of body composition that could allow healthier aging. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to evaluate the potential of laurel leaf polyphenols for modulating body composition. We searched the literature available on the PubMed electronic database related to the main polyphenolic representatives of laurel leaf extracts (namely, kaempferol, hydroxycinnamic acids and apigenin) and their modulation of bone, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. The search yielded 135 articles showing that the main laurel leaf polyphenols exhibit various positive effects on bones, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. These effects could ameliorate metabolic disorders related to modern lifestyles and result in an improvement of body composition and function, resulting in healthier aging, but more evidence-based research in humans is needed.