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Abstract
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Cyclotides describe a unique cyclic peptide family that displays a broad range of biological activities including
uterotonic, anti-bacteria, anti-cancer and anti-HIV. The vigno cyclotides consist of vigno 1–10 were reported
recently from Viola ignobilis. In the present study, we examined the effects of vigno 5, a natural cyclopeptide
from V. ignobilis, on cervical cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms. We found that vigno 5-treated Hela
cells were killed off by apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner within 24 h, and were characterized by the
appearance of nuclear shrinkage, cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and DNA fragmentation.
The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis revealed that cytochrome C is released from mitochondria to cytosol,
associated with the activation of caspase-9 and -3, and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP).
Overall, the results indicate that vigno 5 induces apoptosis in part via the mitochondrial pathway, which is
associated with a release of cytochrome C and elevated activity of caspase-9 and -3 in Hela cells.
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