**2.1.** *Smilax aspera*

*Smilax aspera* has been used to treat diseases such as syphilis, rheumatism and diabetes, and as an antioxidant to reduce the discomforts of menopause [13].

Longo *et al*. isolated and identified anthocyanins from the skin of *S*. *aspera* berries [14]. The anthocyanins were extracted with 0.1% HCl (v/v) in methanol. Then, the extract was carried to clean process using solid phase extraction (SPE) of reverse phase C-18. This clean process allowed the removal of sugars, acids and other water-soluble compounds. Finally, the fraction, with a large quantity of phenolic compounds, was subjected to chromatographic purification by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detector-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS). The result of this study was the isolation and characterization of four anthocyanins: two pelargonidins (**1**, **3**) and two cyanidins (**2**, **4**) (**Figure 2**) [14]. The principal anthocyanin was identified as pelargonidin 3*O*-rutinoside. The anthocyanins are responsible for the color of the *S*. *aspera* fruits.
