Therapeutic promise of Prunus laurocerasus compounds for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain leading drivers of global mortality and share a common pathological network of oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Prunus laurocerasus L. (cherry laurel), an evergreen shrub indigenous to the Black Sea region, has emerged as a promising multi-target candidate by virtue of its phenolic acids, anthocyanins, and flavonoids. Methods Phenolic acids, catechins, and anthocyanins were quantified in juice, dried fruit (35 °C drying), and processing residues of Georgian autochthonous cherry laurel using validated spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed by the DPPH radical-scavenging assay and expressed as the IC50 (mg of sample required for 50 % inhibition). Results Dried fruit contained the highest concentrations of total anthocyanins, catechins, and phenolic acids and showed the strongest antioxidant activity (IC50 = 1.98 ± 0.02 mg). Processing residues outperformed juice on antioxidant potency (IC50 = 3.23 ± 0.05 mg vs 5.05 ± 0.07 mg), indicating that a substantial fraction of the most active antioxidant compounds remains bound to skins and pulp residues after pressing. Conclusion Georgian cherry laurel — and particularly its dried fruit and processing residues — represents a concentrated and effective substrate for the development of standardised antioxidant, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective preparations. The retention of significant bioactivity in waste fractions supports a circular-economy approach to nutraceutical development. Translation from bench to bedside will require standardised extracts and rigorous human clinical trials. Keywords Prunus laurocerasus; cherry laurel; antioxidant activity; polyphenols; anthocyanins; catechins; type 2 diabetes; cardiovascular disease; metabolic syndrome; waste valorisation