Objective To investigate the effect of cytotoxin-1 (CTX-1)on the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells. Methods SKOV-3 cells were treated with CTX-1 at concentrations of 0, 4, 8, 12 μg/mL for 6, 12, and 24 hours respectively. Cell viability was measured by MTS method. SKOV-3 cells were treated with 8 μg/mL CTX-1 for 24 and 48 hours, by Hoechst-33258 fluorescence staining to observe the morphology of nuclear chromatin. The apoptotic rate of SKOV-3 cells was detected by flow cytometry after 6 and 12 hours of treatment. Results CTX-1 at 4, 8, and 12 μg/mL inhibited the activity and proliferation of SKOV-3 cells in a time-dose-dependent manner. Hoechst-33258 staining observation showed that the apoptotic cell chromatin was condensed or fragmented chromatin, the chromatin was unevenly colored, and the nuclear morphology was different. It became more obvious with time. 8 μg/mL CTX-1 treated cells, the 6 h cell necrosis rate was (1.90±0.27)%, the late apoptosis rate was (10.96±1.56)%, and the early apoptosis rate was (1.52±0.39)%; 12 hours cell necrosis rate was (10.62±0.96)%, late apoptosis rate was (15.07±1.23)%, and early apoptosis rate was (1.88±0.17)%, compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusion CTX-1 may inhibit the activity of human ovarian cancer cells, inhibit its proliferation in vitro, and induce its apoptosis. The effect is dose-dependent and time-dependent. Mainly it causes late apoptosis and necrosis of cells.