omicin (DHMEQ) inhibited NF-kappaB activation and showed anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Here we designed and synthesized analogues of DHMEQ and tested their biological activity as NF-kappaB inhibitors in human T cell leukemia Jurkat cells. The hydroxyl group at the 2-position of the benzamide moiety was found to be essential for the inhibitory activity. But etherification of this group did not