Four series of acid amides were synthesized, and through measurement using a fluorogenic substrate assay with human recombinant MMP-1, MMP-2 and MMP-9, compound 3f showed considerable inhibitory activities against MMP-2, MMP-9 and the best selectivity over MMP- 1. Preliminary structure–activity relationship analysis indicated that caffeic acid amides with electron-donating groups at para-position of amino phenyl group showed better inhibitory ...