Structure-activity relationships in a series of anti-inflammatory N-arylanthranilic acids.

A large series of N-arylanthranilic acids has been prepared. Many of these compounds show high anti-inflammatory activity as measured by the anti-UV-erythema test. From this series have come the clinically useful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, flufenamic acid (Arlef), mefenamic acid (Ponstel), and the latest and most potent agent, N-(2,6-dichloro-m-tolyl)anthranilic acid (meclofenamic acid, Meclomen = the sodium salt). The structure-activity relationships of this series is discussed and a graphical representation is presented which allows the prediction of activity of new agents.