**Acknowledgements**

compounds were evaluated against five human cell lines (SHSY5Y, SGC7901, HCT116, Lovo and Vero) using the MTT method. The anticancer evaluation showed (7*S*,8*R*)4,7,9,9′ tetrahydroxy3,3′dimethoxy8*O*4′neolignan (**87**) and (7*R*,8*R*)4,7,9,9′tetrahydroxy3,3′

**Figure 20.** Two neolignans (**87** and **88**) with colon anticancer activity isolated of 70% ethanol extract from *S*. *trinervula*

The polar extracts of *Smilax* species have high concentrations of phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity. The main investigations of *Smilax* species are oriented to evaluate cytotoxicity against human cancer of cervical, lung, breast adenocarcinoma, liver and colon. The results of this review chapter showed flavonol, astilbin and phenylpropanoids binding to the sucrose nucleus (three moieties of ferulic acids and acetyl group to maximize activity) have a high potential as anticancer compounds. The anticancer activity with high concentrations of phenol compounds is attributed to antioxidant activity that induces cell apoptosis. The flavonols and phenylpropanoids can be isolated from ethyl acetate fractions obtained from a 95% aqueous ethanol extract of rhizomes and roots. Also, areal parts of *Smilax* plants contain phenolic compounds, for example, leaves and fruits. **Table 1** shows a resume of total phenols content and DPPH• radical scavenging activity of extracts and fractions obtained from five *Smilax* species. The leaves and fruits of *Smilax* plants contain phenolic compounds. The fruits are also a source of anthocyanins. The chemical studies based on isolation and evaluation of phenolic compounds are few and do not cover more than 10% of the total *Smilax* species. Most studies have been carried out on species that grow in Asia. Hence, it is necessary continue studying the phenolic compound content of *Smilax* species, as well as evaluating their antioxidant, antidiabetic and anticancer

dimethoxy-8-*O*4′neolignan (**88**) (**Figure 20**) had cytotoxic activity against Lovo [56].

**3. Conclusions**

254 Phenolic Compounds - Natural Sources, Importance and Applications

rhizomes.

properties.

The authors thank Carol Ann Hayenga for her English assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. Support was provided by the Universidad Tecnológica de la Mixteca.
