European Journal of Applied Sciences 8 (5): 289-296, 2016 ISSN 2079-2077 © IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ejas.2016.8.5.1144 Corresponding Author: J.C. Anionye, Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. 289 Composition and in vitro Antioxidant Capacity of Super Bitters J.C. Anionye and E.C. Onyeneke 1 2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, 1 College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria Department of Biochemistry, 2 Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria Abstract: Medicinal plants have been defined as those plants that can be used for the synthesis of useful drugs. Modern pharmacology had its origin in these medicinal plants and till date some drugs are products of active components from plants. Modern science may have widened for some time the differences in terms of medication between orthodox and unorthodox/traditional medicine but, this gap seems to be closing fast as the current trend is that they are both adopting practices from each other. The term “bitters” as it is used presently, is a beverage, often alcoholic, flavoured with herbal essences that gives it a bitter or bittersweet flavour. Bitters are made up of a numerous groups of chemical compounds extracted from the herbs and roots, they have the common characteristic of a bitter taste. The results indicate the presence of proteins, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides/reducing sugar, terpenoids and flavonoids. The chemical composition of these compounds confers the bitter taste that includes a complex pattern of molecular structures. Super bitters contain significant amounts of Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Mn, Fe and Cu, while Pb, Cr and Se were not detected in them. The bitters can inhibit the DPPH radical and this confirms the antioxidant capacity of Super bitters. Key words: Super bitters Medicinal plants Antioxidant capacity and pharmacological agents INTRODUCTION the resurgence of an ancient remedy for digestive Unorthodox traditional medicine practice which products like it in an “orthodox way”. employs the use of herbs (medicinal plants), have in The term “bitters” as it is used presently, is a recent times been gaining much publicity and beverage, often alcoholic, flavoured with herbal essences recognition, for their solution to ailments seemingly that gives it a bitter or bittersweet flavour. The generic elusive to the system of orthodox medical practice. term applies to all bitter liquors and herbal bitters. Bitters Medicinal plants have been defined as those plants are produced from herb and root extracts, from the which contain in one or more of their organs, narcotic components of (primarily) tropical and substances that can be used for the synthesis of subtropical plants and spices. They are usually dark in useful drugs. Medicinal plants have been defined and colour and valued for their ability to promote appetite and associated with gods and spiritual invocations. digestion hence their use as patent medicine and as aid in However with the advent of science, civilisation and digestion and as flavouring in cocktails. Bitters are made Christianity, there has been a drastic decline in this up of numerous groups of chemical compounds extracted practice. Modern pharmacology had its origin in these from the herbs and roots (medicinal plants) that have the medicinal plants and till date some drugs are products of common characteristic of a bitter taste and act to increase active components from plants [1, 2]. Modern science the vital energy centres in the body [3, 4]. may have widened for some time the differences in terms The product to be studied is Super Bitters, a western of medication between orthodox and Nigeria product, composed of four (4) herbal constituents unorthodox/traditional medicine, this gap seems to be Hydrastis Canadensis (Golden Seal), Garcinia kola closing fast as the current trend is that they are both (Bitter Kola), Buccholzia coricea (Wonderful Kola), adopting practices from each other [1, 2]. This has led to Allium sativum (Garlic). problems in the repackaging of “herbal bitters” and