The present invention relates to 5-imino-5H-[1,2,4]-dithiazol-3-yl-amine and [1,2,4]-dithiazolidine-3,5-diylidene-diamine derivatives as inducers of gluthathione-S-transferase (GST) and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase (NQO), to methods for the preparation of these compounds and to novel intermediates useful for the synthesis of said [1,2,4]-dithiazoli(di)ne derivatives. The invention also relates to the use of a compound disclosed herein for the treatment of adverse conditions associated with cytotoxicity in general and apoptosis in particular. The invention relates to compounds of the general formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein wherein the symbols have the meanings given in the specification.