Antitumor effects and cell selectivity of temporin-1CEa, an antimicrobial peptide from the skin secretions of the Chinese brown frog (Rana chensinensis)

► A novel amphiphilic antimicrobial peptide, temporin-1CEa was purified from Rana chensinensis. ► The percentage of α-helix content of the cationic peptide in 50% TFE was 87.59%. ► Temporin-1CEa exhibited significant cytotoxicity on 12 human carcinoma cell lines. ► Temporin-1CEa did not exhibit significant cytotoxic effects on nontumorigenic cells.