The present invention relates to compound which are capable of preventing the extracellular release of inflammatory cytokines, said compounds, including all enantiomeric and diasteriomeric forms and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, have the formula: ##STR00001## wherein R comprises ethers or amines; R.sup.1 is: a) substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or b) substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; each R.sup.2 unit is independently selected from the group consisting of: a) hydrogen; b) --(CH.sub.2).sub.jO(CH.sub.2).sub.nR.sup.8; c) --(CH.sub.2).sub.jNR.sup.9aR.sup.9b; d) --(CH.sub.2).sub.jCO.sub.2R.sup.10; e) --(CH.sub.2).sub.jOCO.sub.2R.sup.10 f) --(CH.sub.2).sub.jCON(R.sup.10).sub.2; g) --(CH.sub.2).sub.jOCON(R.sup.10).sub.2; h) two R.sup.2 units can be taken together to form a carbonyl unit; i) and mixtures thereof; R.sup.8, R.sup.9a, R.sup.9b, and R.sup.10 are each independently hydrogen, C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; R.sup.9a and R.sup.9b can be taken together to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring comprising from 3 to 7 atoms; two R.sup.10 units can be take together to form a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring comprising from 3 to 7 atoms; j is an index from 0 to 5, n is an index from 0 to 5; Z is O, S, NR.sup.11, or NOR.sup.11; R.sup.11 is hydrogen or C.sub.1 C.sub.4 alkyl.