Extraction, Purification and Characterization of Immunomodulatory Effects of Cyclotides Isolated from Viola Odorata

Abstract

Background: Plant cyclic peptides have displayed a diverse range of biological activities. Cyclic peptides exist in different plant families, such as Violaceae. Methods: In this study, the existence of cyclic peptides in Viola odorata has been investigated. The plant materials were subjected to maceration in methanol: CH2-Cl2 (1:1; v/v), and then the crude extract passed through the C18 column by vacuum liquid chromatography method and fractionated into 50 and 80 ethanol extract. The obtained fractions were analyzed by HPLC and MALDI-TOF. Finally, the 50 and 80 fractions were injected into the female C57BL/6 mice intraperitoneally at doses of 5, 50, and 100 mg/kg. The lymphocyte, monocyte, neutrophil, eosinophil, and white blood cell (WBC) counts of whole blood in different groups were compared before and 24 hours after the injection. The results confirmed the presence of cyclic peptides in Viola odorata. Findings: The MALDI-TOF showed the mass weights of fractions were in the range of cyclic peptides. The 80 fraction at all doses reduced the number of lymphocytes and WBC. On the other hand, interestingly, the 50 fraction increased them. Conclusion: The cyclic peptides can be used as immunomodulatory agents and, thus, can be effective in a wide range of diseases related to the immune system. © 2024 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.