The present invention relates to compounds which are capable of preventing the extracellular release of inflammatory cytokines, said compounds, or enantiomeric and diasteriomeric forms or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, have the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an ether or amino unit, R.sup.1 is substituted phenyl, each R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 unit is independently selected from the group consisting of: a) hydrogen; and b) substituted or unsubstituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl selected from the group consisting of: i) C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl; ii) C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 aryl; iii) C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 heterocyclic; iv) C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 heteroaryl.