Compounds having activity as selective inhibitors of JNK are disclosed The compounds of this invention are pyrazoloanthrone and derivatives thereof having the following structure: ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined herein. Such compounds have utility in the treatment of a wide range of conditions that are responsive to JNK inhibition. Thus, methods of treating such conditions are also disclosed, as are pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more compounds of the above compounds.