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Review
. 2010 May;16(5):RA93-100.

Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its derivatives: an update

Jian-Ming Lü  1 , Jacobo Nurko, Sarah M Weakley, Jun Jiang, Panagiotis Kougias, Peter H Lin, Qizhi Yao, Changyi Chen
Affiliations
Review

Molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) and its derivatives: an update

Jian-Ming Lü et al. Med Sci Monit. 2010 May.

Abstract

Creosote bush, Larrea tridentata, is known as chaparral or greasewood in the United States and as gobernadora or hediondilla in Mexico. Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), the main metabolite of the creosote bush, has been shown to have promising applications in the treatment of multiple diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders and cancers. Creosote bush is a promising agent of North American herbal medicine, and it has extensive pharmacological effects and specific mechanisms of actions. This review provides an update of recent in vitro and in vivo research about NDGA and describes experimental studies using NDGA as antioxidant. Also, potential medical uses based on the effects of NDGA on the cardiovascular, immune and neurological systems; cancer; tissue engineering; as well as pharmacokinetics and toxicity are discussed.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chemical structure of nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). Other names of NDGA are 1,4-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dimethylbutane, 4,4′-(2,3-dimethyltetramethylene)dipyrocatechol, and Masoprocol.
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