Benzophenone-N-ethyl piperidine ether analogues--synthesis and efficacy as anti-inflammatory agent.

A sequence of substituted benzophenone-N-ethyl piperidine ether analogues has been synthesized and evaluated as orally active anti-inflammatory agents with reduced side effects. The anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic activities of the compounds were compared with naproxen, indomethacin, and phenylbutazone. These analogues showed an interesting anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan-induced foot pad edema assay. In the air-pouch test, some of the analogues reduced the total number of leukocytes of the exudate, which indicates inhibition of prostaglandin production. Side effects of the compounds were examined on gastric mucosa, in the liver and stomach. None of the compounds illustrated significant side effects compared with standard drugs like indomethacin and naproxen.