Wasabi is a member of the Brassicaceae family and produces various isothiocyanates (ITCs). Because 6-methylsulfinylhexyl ITC (6-MSITC) is stable among wasabi ITCs, it has potential as a functional compound. Hair loss can have psychological and social effects on an individual because of its impact on appearance. In this study, we investigated the stimulatory effects of 6-MSITC by culturing on human follicle dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Results showed that 6-MSITC significantly promoted DPC proliferation and upregulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA levels compared to control. Furthermore, 6-MSITC significantly upregulated adenosine A2b receptor (ADORA2b) mRNA levels. Previous studies have reported that VEGF was induced through ADORA1 and ADORA2 pathways. We suggest that 6-MSITC stimulates hair growth on DPCs related to the upregulation of ADORA2b mRNA level. Thus, 6-MSITC may be used as a functional compound.

Wasabi is a plant of Japanese origin. It belongs to the Brassicaceae family and produces various isothiocyanates (ITCs). Because 6-methylsulfinylhexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC) is particularly stable among wasabi ITCs, it has potential as a functional compound. To clarify the antioxidative activity of 6-MSITC, we investigated its inhibitory effect on superoxide anion (O 2 • −) generation from phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated differentiated HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Our results showed that 6-MSITC inhibited O 2 • − generation in these cells (IC 50 value: 28.9 μM). 6-MSITC at 0.8, 4, and 20 μM significantly inhibited the consumption of exogenously added NADH compared with the control. On the other hand, < 263 μM 6-MSITC did not scavenge O 2 • − in cell-free experiments. Therefore, we suggest that 6-MSITC inhibited O 2 • − generation by decreasing an enzymatic reaction with NADPH oxidase. Thus, 6-MSITC may be useful as a functional compound.