[CAS NO. 500-38-9]  Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA)

NDGA has been proven to selectively inhibit arachidonic acid 5-lipoxygenase activity, which reduces leukotriene and prostaglandin synthesis, thus leading to a reduction of inflammatory pathways. NDGA also has profound effects on the secretory pathway, reflected in its ability to block production of leukotriene B4, degranulation, phagocytosis, and the respiratory burst by exerting effects on the mitochondria and nonspecifically inhibiting NADPH oxidase and protein kinase C. NDGA has also been shown to block protein transport from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi complex, induce the redistribution of Golgi proteins into the ER and affect levels of intracellular calcium. Furthermore, NDGA has been shown to disrupt the actincytoskeleton and exert effects on cell adhesion and also to directly inhibit activationof two receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), the Insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor and the c-erbB2/HER2/neu receptor, that results in decreased cellular proliferation. NDGA selectively inhibits platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-stimulated DNA synthesis in Swiss 3T3 cells, diploid murine cells and rat and human fibroblasts. NDGA is a bioactive natural product which is able to crosslink collagen. NDGA cross-linking may provide a viable approach to stabilizing collagenous materials for use in repair of ruptured, lacerated or surgically transected tendons, as well as other biomaterial constructs for surgical repair of musculoskeletal injuries and disease.