Larrea tridentata: A path to a non-invasive brain cancer treatment

Astrocytes, one of the most abundant cell components in the central nervous system (CNS), have been a research target in the last few years. Several studies have found that astrocytes are not only mere supporters of neurons but also of essential processes developed in the CNS. Their malfunction could induce neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. Thus, further understanding of astrocytes and their role is of high interest to develop possible new treatments and methods of disease diagnosis, especially in brain cancer. The plant Larrea tridentata (La Gobernadora in Mexico or Creosote bush in the United States) is known to have medical properties for different disorders, including cancer, due to one of its components, the nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA). By using confocal Raman microscopy to analyze the function of NDGA in normal astrocytes and glioblastoma, we found evidence that this acid does not affect the former, making this a potential non-invasive alternative for cancer treatment.