A variety of 4{[(phenyl substituted) (2-methyl-3a, 7a-dihydro-1H-indole-1-yl) benzyl] amino} benzoic acid (IV a-e) have been synthesized by reacting 2-phenyl indole(III) with Para amino benzoic acid with ethanol. The starting material 2-phenyl indole (III) was synthesized from phenyl hydrazine (I) withlacetophenone(II). The title compounds obtained were characterized by IR, 1H NMR and Mass spectral data. The prepared compounds were screened for their anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced paw odema method in rats. © 2010 RJPBCS. © 2011 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.