Antimicrobial peptide Mt 5 inhibits human hepatocellular carcinoma cell HepG2 proliferation.

The Mt 5 peptide is an antimicrobial peptide, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its underlying mechanism is not understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of the Mt 5 peptide in a human HCC cell line, namely HepG2, in vitro. Notably, Mt 5 markedly reduced the growth of HepG2 cells by disrupting the cell membrane while exhibiting minimal toxicity to healthy liver cells. Furthermore, Mt 5 treatment increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and decreased the mitochondria membrane potential, suggesting the induction of mitochondrial damage-mediated apoptosis. Additionally, Mt 5-mediated cytoskeleton disruption suggested the potential inhibition of cell metastasis. Altogether, the findings of this study indicate the potential of the Mt 5 peptide as a drug candidate against HCC.