Disclosed is an aromatic amine of the general formula (I) e.g. (±)-2-ethoxy-3-(3-aminophenyl)-propanoic acid in which: R1 and R2 which may be identical or different, are selected from the group consisting of: H and an alkyl group Y is selected from the group consisting of: H, COOH, -OR3 and -CH(OR3)COOH Z is CH(OR3)COOH and R3 is an alkyl group. Also disclosed is the use of said amine of chronic inflammation or tumours.