Larrea divaricata

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid occurs as the mesoform in the resinous exudate of the creosote bush (Larrea divaricata syn. L. tridentata). Under the generic name masoprocol, it has become available... 

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid Antioxidant (lard) Larrea divaricata... 

Waller C, Gisvold O. A phytochemical investigation of Larrea divaricata Cav. J Am Pharm Assoc 1945 34 78-81. 

In short, the other species of greasewood are to be distinguished from the Wyoming species. For example, the common evergreen greasewood or creosote bush or chaparral of the American Southwest is an entirely different species, which has been called Larrea mexicana, but more usually is called Larrea tridentata or Larrea divaricata. Yet, other species are also called greasewood. 

There are, however, differmt species of Larrea the creosote bush. In the work by Percy Train et al. on the Paiute Indians of Nevada, previously cited, another species or subspecies designated Larrea divaricata was used by these Indians, but was not mentioned specifically as a treatment for cancers or tumors, but was instead used for other diseases. 

Also mentioned in the Heinerman reference is the use of an extract of St. Johns wort Hypericum perforatum) for hopeless cancer cases. Mention is made of several cases of cancer cured using Chaparral tea Larrea divaricata). 

Masoprocol, a dicatechol compound with an aliphatic spacer, is derived from the plant Larrea divaricata it is a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor with antitumor activity. It is effective for the topical therapy of actinic keratoses. Masoprocol is available as a cream (actinex) and is apphed twice daily for approximately 1 month. Common side effects include redness, scaling, and pruritus. 

Rios, J.M., A.M. Mangione, and J.C. Gianello. 2008. Effects of natural phenoUc compoimds from a desert dominant shrub Larrea divaricata Cav. on toxicity and survival in mice. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat. 81(2) 293-302. 

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) (60) is found in large quantities in Larrea divaricata (creosote bush, Zygophylla-ceae), a plant that is extremely abundant in the Chihuahuan, Sonoran, and Mojave deserts, as well as in southern South America. This compound was widely used in the food industry for several years as an antioxidant, but its use has recently been restricted. NDGA possesses light-activated toxicity (Downum, 1992). 

Palacio L, Baeza MC, Cantero JJ, Cusidd R, Goleniowski ME (2008) In vitro propagation of jarilla (Larrea divaricata cav.) and secondary metabolites production. Biol Pharm Bull 31 2321... 

Palacio L, Cantero JJ, Cusido R, Goleniowski ME (2010) Effect of inoculum age on kinetic of biomass formation and phenolic accumulations in Larrea divaricata Cav. cell suspension culture. Mol Med Chem 21 64... 

Palacio L, Cantero JJ, Cusid6 R, Goleniowski ME (2011) Phenolic compound production by Larrea divaricata Cav. plant cell cultures and effect of precursor feeding. Process Biochem 46 418... 

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