The present invention relates to a method for treating inflammatory disorder, comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a physiologically functional derivative thereof, wherein the compound is in a therapeutically effective amount to inhibit NO or IL-6 expression, caspase-1 activation or IL-1β secretion, and NLRP3 and IL-1β precursor expression in inflammatory cells of the subject.