A series of ring-opened analogs of indomethacin was synthesized and tested in vitro (at concentrations ranging from 10-9 to 10-5 mol/l) on human neutrophil functions. Two compounds lacking the carboxylic group were subjected to the same tests and one of these showed unexpected activity. Among the acidic derivatives, compound 12 bearing the same substituents as indomethacin 10 (methoxy and 4-chlorobenzoyl groups) was the most active: it significantly lowered neutrophil responses in all five bioassays and at the three concentrations considered.