Science and Biomedical information about Wasabi

Wasabia japonica - Nature's Gift

Scientific evidence, shows us many biomedical applications for the natural products found in Wasabi japonica. Existing findings centre on the isothiocyanates with the major areas of interest being:

1. Anti-Cancer and Anti-Oxidant
2. Antibiotic
3. Anti-Coagulant (including inhibition of platelet aggregation in the treatment of heart attacks)
4. Anti-Inflammatory Agent or for the treatment of asthma or anaphylaxis
5. Aids in Bone Calcification (from a different group of compounds)
6. Other Health Benefits

1. Anti-Cancer (breast, prostate, colon, lung, leukemia, pancreas esophagus, bladder and others)

Plantlets from Pacific Coast Wasabi tissue culture.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Wasabia japonica contains natural chemicals which are highly efficacious against a variety of cancers. These chemicals are known as isothiocyanates which arise from the enzymatic breakdown of glucosinolate molecules found in intact cells. When Wasabi cells are disrupted (i.e. macerated) the glucosinolates come contact the myrosinase enzyme which catalyses the conversion to isothiocyanates. Wasabi has been shown (Ina et al. 1990, Sakura et al. 1993) to possess more than twenty different isothiocyanates.

Isothiocyanate extracts from Wasabi have been proven effective against stomach cancers (Tanida et al. 1991, Fuke et al. 1994, Fuke et al. 1997, Shin and Lee 1998, Ono et al 1998), lung cancer (Yano et al. 2000) leukemia(Nakamura et al. 2001) and breast cancer (Nomura et al. 2005).

Furthermore, isothiocyanates from other sources, but also shown to be present in Wasabi (Ina et al. 1990, Sakura et al. 1993), have been found to be effective against lung and esophageal cancers (Stoner and Morse (1997), prostate cancer (Chiao et al. 2000, Scott et al. 2000) and breast, forestomach and colon cancers (Wattenberg 1977, 1981). Numerous studies (Stoner et al. 1998, Hecht et al. 1996a and b, Hecht et al. 2000, Chung 2001) have shown isothiocyanates to block the cancer inducing effects of compounds that are associated with cigarette smoke. Included in these findings is the observation that the isothiocyanates may be effective in preventing cancer induction in both smokers and ex-smokers.

Isothiocyanates are easily administered which sets them apart from many pharmaceutically-based cancer treatments currently in use. The high efficacies of isothiocyanates against cancer is maintained even when they are administered orally or a part of a diet (Morse et al. 1993, Kirlin et al. 1999, Hou et al. 2000, Fuke et al. 2000 [in the drinking water!!], Chiao et al. 2004, Tang and Zhang 2004, Tseng et al. 2004). On the other hand, present pharmaceutically-based cancer treatments are expensive, difficult to administer, and have many well-documented adverse side effects including toxicity.

ITCs in Wasabi have been shown to suppress dissemination or metastasis of cancerous tumor cells.

There is now a growing base of evidence on how isothiocyanates act against cancerous cells. Isothiocyanates act to inhibit enzymes that cause pre-carcinogenic compounds to turn into carcinogenic ones (Phase 1 enzymes) and they also can induce Phase 2 enzymes which fight against cancerous cells (Yu et al. 1996, Hecht 1999, Kirlin et al. 1999), possibly through gene expression (Yu et al. 1996, Gao and Talalay 2004), inhibit initiation of cancerous growths (Yano et al. 2000) and induce glutathione S-transferase (Morimitsu et al. 2000). 6-methylsulfinyhexyl isothiocyanate has been shown also to block the cell cycle of cancerous cells (Hashimoto et al 2004). This same molecule has been show to effect protein production in cancerous cells (Hou et al. 2000).

Metastasis, a critical stage in cancer development is blocked by ITCs and in particular 6MITC. Fuke and her co-workers (1997, 2000, 2006) and Manesh and Kuttan (2003) have shown that 6-MITC from Wasabi suppressed dissemination or metastasis of tumor cells. Wasabia japonica contains a high concentration of 6-MITC.

In numerous cases the ITCs from Wasabi have been shown to cause cancerous cells to under go apoptosis or cell death. This has been shown in leukemia cells (Nakamura et al 2001, Fimagnori et al. 2004), breast cancer cells (Nomura et al. 2005), lung cancer (Kuang and Chen 2004), colorectal cancer (Lund et al. 2001) and cancerous cells of other cell types (Watanabe et al. 2003, Fimognari et al. 2005).

An important point to be made here is that ITCs are efficacious against the cancerous cells but do no harm healthy cells. No side-effects have been encountered. Musk and co-workers (1993, 1995) showed that AITC was selectively toxic towards colorectal tumor cells. Nakamura et al. (2001) found in the case of leukemia that the isothiocyanates from Wasabi inhibit the growth of leukemic cells but do not inhibit normal cells. From this finding Nakamura et al. suggested that a remarkable therapeutic effect can be expected.

Our company has obtained its first round of experimental results assessing the efficacy of a Wasabi extract on pre-cancerous breast epithelial cells. The results demonstrated that under in vitro conditions a diluted ethanol extract is very effective in causing pre-cancerous cells to undergo apoptosis or programmed cell death. While these experiments were conducted in vitro they indicate that a Wasabi extract can eliminate pre-cancerous cells before they become cancerous. What makes these results very exciting is that breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide and the incidence of this disease continues to rise (Stone et al. 1998, Russo et al. 2000).

2. Antibiotic - infections, oral hygiene, cavity prevention and ulcers

Wasabi is a powerful, natural antibiotic.

It has long been known that Wasabi contains natural antibiotics and it was this feature that brought Wasabi into Japanese cuisine 1300 years ago.

Isothiocyanate vapours inhibit the growth of several strains of bacteria, yeast and mold (Depree et al. 1999). Other scientific studies (Hasegawa et al. 1998, Ono et al. 1998, Shin and Lee 1999) have shown that 6-MITC from Wasabi extracts have potent anti-bacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureas and Escherichia coli, common types of bacteria leading to infections and food poisonings.

Isothiocyanates in Wasabi have demonstrated an inhibitory effect against Streptococcus mutans, the bacterium responsible for dental cavities. Wasabi has also been found to interfere with the sucrose-dependent adherence of cells. As recently as December 2000, Japanese scientist Hideki Masuda, Ph.D. presented evidence of these findings at an international meeting of chemists in Honolulu, Hawaii (The 2000 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basis Societies, Hawaii, December 2000). These results may lead to the possibility of Wasabi extracts to be used in a variety of products (i.e. toothpastes and mouthwashes) for cavity prevention. More recent research has proven Wasabi extracts to be efficacious against mutant strains of Staphylococcus (Hasegawa 2002).

Another disease causing bacterium that Wasabi and ITCs are effective against is Helicobacterium pylori (Kinae et al. 2001, Haristoy et al. 2003, Masuda et al. 2004, Shin et al. 2004, Haristoy et al. 2005) This bacterium is known to be responsible for ulcers and ensuing stomach cancers. Wasabi extracts have been shown to kill the bacterium, even if the bacterium has entered a cell lining the stomach. Under this condition pharmaceutical antibiotics have proven themselves ineffective. Ulcers affect a large percentage of the population in certain cultures.

3. Anti-Coagulant - blood thinning for circulation and prevention of strokes, treatment of atherosclerosis (blood vessels narrowed by plaque), surgical uses

The 6-MITC of Wasabi has been found to inhibit platelet aggregation thus making it an effective anti-coagulant (Kumagai et al. 1994, Morimitsu et al. 2000, Morimitsu et al. 2002). These anti-coagulant properties could be used in the treatment of the elderly, and during surgery where preventing platelet aggregation is vital. Platelet aggregation is recognized to be a precipitating factor in cardiovascular diseases. 6-MITC may inhibit platelet aggregation by a number of different mechanisms including the inhibition of lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, cAMP phosopodiesterases and CGMP phosphodiesterase.

4. Anti-Inflammatory (asthma, arthritis, allergies, anaphylaxis - aids in the healing process)

Wasabia japonica - with its powerful nutraceutical attributes, truly a miracle plant.

Isothiocyanates of Wasabi and other crucifers are effective anti-inflammatory (Depree et al. 1998) and anti-asthmatic (Dorsch et al. 1985) agents. Depree et al. (1998) were so impressed with their results when testing isothiocyanates that they made the following statements: ‘The anti-inflammatory effects and inhibition of platelet aggregation by omega-methylthioalkyl isothiocyanates is perhaps of more interest given the rapid action of the compounds and the low levels at which they are effective. This could potentially be used to counter inflammatory conditions such as asthma or even anaphylaxis. The ability of the Wasabi isothiocyanates to inhibit platelet aggregation could also have medical applications, particularly in the treatment of heart attacks. Further work on the pharmacology of these compounds and their possible medicinal use, as well as other medicinal properties of Wasabi seems warranted.’

Other inflammatory conditions that may be treated with Wasabi's isothiocyanates include rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis), allergies and septic shock.

5. Aids in Bone Calcification (fights/prevents Osteoporosis)

The active biomedical compound found in the wasabi leaf stalk has a stimulatory effect on calcification.

Suzuki and his co-authors have found that a small molecular weight compound in Wasabia japonica leaf stalk extract has a significant stimulatory effect on bone calcification in vitro (Suzuki et al. 1997) and in vivo (Suzuki et al. 1999). The authors’ findings revealed that the compound was easily extracted from the plant tissue, is of small molecular weight and functions at low concentrations. However, the authors did not report on the identity of the active compound, nor on its mode of action.

6. Other Health Benefits of Wasabi/Isothiocyanates

In addition to the above health benefits there is now evidence showing that Wasabi and the isothiocyanates act: 1. to prevent diarrhea (Nakayama et al. 1998); 2. to protect nephrons in diabetes (Fukuchi et al 2004); 3. as antioxidants (Gao et al. 2001, Lee et al. in review); 4. as immune boosters (Manesh and Kuttan 2003); 5. as inhibitors of cancer treatment toxicities (Manesh and Kuttan 2005); 6. as cardiovascular defenders (Wu et al. 2004)

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