Abstract: The Syrian flora is well-known for its richness and diversity, as it contains a large number of medicinal plant species. In Syria, there are a large number of varieties of the Syrian wild Arum plant. This moisture-loving type of Arum (Arum hygrophilum), is the most prevalent species in Syria, and it is considered as a distinctive type.
There is no scientific information available about the antioxidant properties of the Syrian wild Arum plant, nor about the content of phenols and flavonoids. Therefore, this work aims on estimating these properties was important and useful, especially to find a natural resource for antioxidants in Syria. Thus, the integrative antioxidant IA as the equivalent of ascorbic acid was determined using PLC photochemiluminescence for the first time.
By using PLC technique, it was possible to estimate IA in an accurate and easy way, and it was found that the highest antioxidant capacity of the Syrian wild Arum plant, estimated in the equivalent of ascorbic acid, which is found in the leaves of the Arum plant estimated around 81.96 nmol/g whereas 97.9 nmol/g in the roots. The antioxidant activity in this plant is attributed to the presence of flavonoids and phenols in this plant, including: isoorientin- Coumaric - Caffeic acid gallic acidvitexinferulic acid quercetin-3 O-rhamnoside- luteolin.
The purpose of using the medicinal plants in treatment of many health problems isconsidered as a return to nature, especially since synthetic and chemical medications have multiple side effects compared to these herbs.