Selective sensitivity to wasabi-derived 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate of human breast cancer and melanoma cell lines studied in vitro.

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 microM, 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 microM. 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 microM 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.

• Authors: Takahiro Nomura, Shoko Shinoda, Takao Yamori, Saeko Sawaki, Ikuko Nagata, Kazuo Ryoyama, Yoko Fuke
• Journal: Cancer detection and prevention (Cancer Detect Prev) Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 155-60 ( 2005) ISSN: 0361-090X [Print] England
• PMID: 15829375 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 6-methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate
• Isothiocyanates

Topics

• Algorithms
• Breast Neoplasms (pathology)
• Cell Survival
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
• Humans
• Isothiocyanates (pharmacology)
• Melanoma (pathology)
• Skin Neoplasms (pathology)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Wasabia (chemistry)