Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of new flosulide analogues, synthesized from natural safrole

Four new aryl-sulfonamide derivatives (3a, 4a, 5a b), having methylenedioxy group attached to phenyl ring, were prepared from natural safrole and evaluated as anti-inflammatory agents. The -methylsulfonamide 3a and corresponding retrosulfonamide derivative 5a were more active than standards indomethacin and nimesulide, at the same molar concentration, in carrageenan-induced pleurisy assay.