The present invention relates to compounds having the general formula ##STR1##

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R¹ is a saturated or unsaturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered, ring containing 0, 1, 2 or 3 atoms selected from N, O and S, wherein the ring may be fused with a benzo group, and is substituted by 0, 1 or 2 oxo groups, and wherein R¹ is additionally substituted; and R² is a substituted C_1-6alkyl. Also included is a method of prophylaxis or treatment of inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, Pagets disease, osteoporosis, multiple myeloma, uveititis, acute or chronic myelogenous leukemia, pancreatic cell destruction, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, gouty arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), psoriasis, Crohn's disease, allergic rhinitis, ulcerative colitis, anaphylaxis, contact dermatitis, asthma, muscle degeneration, cachexia, Reiter's syndrome, type I diabetes, type II diabetes, bone resorption diseases, graft vs. host reaction, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, myocardial infarction, ischemia reperfusion injury, atherosclerosis, brain trauma, multiple sclerosis, cerebral malaria, sepsis, septic shock, toxic shock syndrome, fever, myalgias due to HIV-1, HIV-2, HIV-3, cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza, adenovirus, the herpes viruses or herpes zoster infection in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount a compound as described above.