New analogues of butylated hydroxytoluene as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents.

Amine or amide derivatives bearing the 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenol moiety are synthesised. Almost all are antioxidants, reduce acute inflammation and inhibit COX-1 and lipoxygenase activity. The most potent anti-inflammatory, COX-1 inhibitor and antioxidant agent, with low toxicity, is 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-thiomorpholin-4-ylmethyl-phenol.