New phenylaniline derivatives as modulators of amyloid protein precursor metabolism.

•Synthesis of modulators of amyloid protein precursor metabolism starting from chloroquine and amodiaquine backbones.•The reduction of Aβ levels including Aβ40 and Aβ42 were quantified.•The metabolism of APP is analysed and the accumulation of CTFα and AICD were determined.•Compounds with the best efficiency had no cellular toxicity at concentration lower than 100 µM.