title: Nordihydroguaiaretic acid analogues: their chemical synthesis and biological activities.
abstract: Nordihydroguaiaretic acid is a natural occurring lignan mainly isolated and commercially produced from desert plant, creosote bush (Larrea divaricata Cav. Or Corillea tridentate), which can be widely found in the border zone of southern of USA and northern of Mexico. During past 100 years, extensive research has demonstrated that nordihydroguaiaretic acid and its synthetic analogues are potentially useful in treating diseases related to cancers, diabetes, viral, bacterial infections, and inflammation. Remarkably, terameprocol, a tetra-O-methyl derivative of nordihydroguaiaretic acid, is currently in Phase I/II clinical trials as an anticancer agent. This review deals with the chemical synthesis and bioactivities of nordihydroguaiaretic acid and its structurally-related derivatives, which possess anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. The review consists of the data reported in over 100 publications.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, 132 East Circle at University City Guangzhou, China 510006. qqchen@gmai.l.com
authors.forename: Qingqi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001688:Biological Products / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009637:Masoprocol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D009637:Masoprocol