Squill (Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn) is a medicinally important plant that has been used for varies purposes like cardiovascular disease and liver dysfunction since ancient times [1]. A product of the plant that is widely used in Iran is oxymel. According to the results of our recent study, squill oxymel is effective as an add-on treatment in patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma [2]. In this study, antioxidant and total phenolic content of squill oxymel was investigated. Based on the method used by traditional practitioners for preparing squill oxymel, fresh squill bulbs cut into small pieces and then boiled in vinegar. After a sufficient time, honey was added to the product. 50 g of this product was evaporated and 2 g dried extract was obtained. Dried material was extracted using 50 ml of ethanol-water (80:20). Antioxidant activity was estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). In addition, Folin-Ciocalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content. IC50 value of DPPH scavenging activity was 400µg/mL. Total phenolic content was 38.8 mg as gallic acid equivalent/g extract. Antioxidant property may be responsible for at least some of medicinal effects of this product. Given the importance of this syrup in traditional medicine, further studies to analyze the composition and other therapeutic effects can be the subject of future researches.
1. Bozorgi M, Amin G, Shekarchi M, Rahimi R. Traditional medical uses of Drimia species in terms of phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology. J Tradit Chin Med 2017; 37 (1): 124-139.
2. Nejatbakhsh F, Karegar-Borzi H, Amin G, Eslaminejad A, Hosseini M, Bozorgi M, Asadi Gharabaghi M. Squill Oxymel, a traditional formulation from Drimia Maritima (L.) Stearn, as an add-on treatment in patients with moderate to severe persistent asthma: A pilot, triple-blind, randomized clinical trial. J Ethnopharmacol 2017; 196: 186-192.