Masoprocol is a lipoxygenase inhibitor launched as a topical agent for the treatment of
solar or actinic keratoses. It is the first new topical treatment for pre-malignant skin
lesions introduced in twenty years. Masoprocol is obtained from the Larrea tridentata
plant and is also under investigation for the treatment of lung, breast, colon and ovarian cancers.
ChEBI: Masoprocol is the meso-form of nordihydroguaiaretic acid. An antioxidant found in the creosote bush, Larrea divaricata, it is a potent lipoxygenase inhibitor that interferes with arachidonic acid metabolism. It also inhibits (though to a lesser extent) formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase, carboxylesterase, and cyclooxygenase. It has a role as an antineoplastic agent, a lipoxygenase inhibitor, a hypoglycemic agent and a metabolite.
