Date of Award
2023-05-01
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Physics
Advisor(s)
Felicia S. Manciu
Abstract
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). Using confocal Raman microscopy to analyze the function of NDGA in normal astrocytes and glioblastoma, we found evidence that this acid has a less damaging effect in the former compared to current cancer treatments, making this a potential non-invasive alternative for cancer treatment.
Language
en
Provenance
Recieved from ProQuest
Copyright Date
2023-05-01
File Size
p.
File Format
application/pdf
Rights Holder
Lizbeth Vanessa Martinez Lopez
Recommended Citation
Martinez Lopez, Lizbeth Vanessa, "Microscopic and Spectroscopic Analysis of Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Effect on Astrocytes" (2023). Open Access Theses & Dissertations. 3820.
https://scholarworks.utep.edu/open_etd/3820