The present invention provides a composition of matter comprising a biosynthetic anti-inflammatory oligosaccharide, comprising the structure of: sugar - sugar - X - R; wherein said sugar is selected from the group consisting of N-acetylneuraminic acid, galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose and mannose; wherein X is a bridging atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen and carbon; and wherein R is an aglycone selected from the group consisting of naphthol, naphthalenemethane, indenol, a heterocyclic derivative of indenol, a heterocyclic derivative of naphthol and a heterocyclic derivative of naphthalenemethanol. Also provided is a method of treating an inflammatory disease in an individual comprising the step of administering to said individual a therapeutically effective dose of the novel composition of the present invention.