Selective sensitivity to wasabi-derived 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate of human breast cancer and melanoma cell lines studied in vitro Takahiro Nomura PhDa, , , Shoko Shinoda PhDb, Takao Yamori PhDc, Saeko Sawaki BSb, Ikuko Nagata BSb, Kazuo Ryoyama PhDd and Yoko Fuke PhDb aDivision of Food and Nutritional Science, Kanazawa Gakuin College, 10 Sue-machi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1392, Japan bDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Tokyo Metropolitan College, 3-6-3 Azuma-chyo, Akishima 196-8540, Tokyo, Japan cCancer Chemotherapy Center, Cancer Research Institute of Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, 1-37-1 Kami-Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan dDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Aomori University, 2-3-1 Kohata, Aomori, Japan Abstract Recently, attention has focused on the anticancer properties of an aromatic component 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MITC) in a typical Japanese spice, wasabi. In this paper, anticancer activity of 6-MITC in vitro was studied by using a human cancer cell (HCC) panel. 6-MITC directly affected the cells in the HCC panel and inhibited their growth in culture. The mean concentration required to inhibit 50% of control cell growth was 3.9 ėM, which is a sufficiently low dosage for practical use. The suppression influenced not only the cell growth, but also the survival of these cells. The mean concentration to suppress cells to a 50% survival was 43.7 ėM. The reduction activity of 6-MITC was differential, and it suppressed specific cells. These severely suppressed cell lines included breast cancer and melanoma cell lines. For example, one melanoma line was seriously damaged at a concentration of 0.3 ėM of 6-MITC. Compared with other MITCs (2-MITC, 4-MITC and 8-MITC), 6-MITC showed the most effective suppression and with the most specific manner of the cells mentioned above. A “COMPARE” analysis using a computerized algorithm, which was based on the HCC database, suggested that the suppression mechanism of 6-MITC is unique and may be different from that of other known chemicals. The actual mechanism may not a simple one but may involve multiple pathways. On account of its sufficiently small size, 6-MITC is a new possible candidate for controlling cancer cells. doi:10.1016/j.cdp.2004.07.010 Cancer Detection and Prevention Volume 29, Issue 2 , 2005, Pages 155-160 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.