The anti-apoptotic effects of nordihydroguaiaretic acid: inhibition of cPLA(2) activation during TNF-induced apoptosis arises from inhibition of calcium signaling.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) is a plant lignan produced by Larrea tridentata, the creosote bush of the American southwest. In this report we examine the mechanism underlying the ability of NDGA to inhibit TNF-induced apoptosis. Our results show that NDGA blocks many key indicators of apoptosis.