
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:
- Anti-Cancer and Anti-Oxidant
- Antibiotic
- Anti-Coagulant (including inhibition of platelet aggregation in the treatment of heart attacks)
- Anti-Inflammatory Agent or for the treatment of asthma or anaphylaxis
- Aids in Bone Calcification (from a different group of compounds)
- 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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