Isothiazoloanthrones, isooxazoloanthrones, isoindolanthrones, and derivatives thereof having the general formula: ##STR1##

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R₀ is —CH₂—, —SO—, —O—, —SO₂—, or —S—; compositions comprising the isothiazoloanthrones, isooxazoloanthrones, isoindolanthrones, and derivatives thereof; and methods for treating or preventing a disorder alleviated by inhibiting Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) by administering the isothiazoloanthrones, isooxazoloanthrones, isoindolanthrones, and derivatives thereof are described herein.