Tri-heterocyclic compound of formula (I) ##STR1##

wherein each of W, X and Y is carbon or nitrogen; each of U and Z is CR², NR¹³, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur etc.; A ring is carbocyclic ring, heterocyclic ring; R¹ is alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, NR⁴R⁵, OR⁶ etc.; R³ is carbocyclic ring, heterocyclic ring;

and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a process for the preparation thereof, a pharmaceutical comprising them as an active ingredient. A compound of formula (I) is useful, in order to possess corticotropin releasing factor receptor antagonistic activity, for the prevention and/or treatment of depression, anxiety, eating disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, peptic ulcer, irritable bowl syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, drug addiction or alcohol dependence syndrome etc.