Several mono-Schiff's bases (3a–i) and bis-Schiff's bases (5a–f) were synthesized using microwave irradiation technique (3a–h, 5a–c) and by simply grinding at room temperature for a few minutes (3i, 5d–f). All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means and elemental analysis. They were screened for anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities (against five human cancer cell lines). Compound 5f exhibited good anti-inflammatory and compounds 3f, 5a–f exhibited good anticancer activity.