Furanone derivatives for the suppression or treatment of autoimmune diseases

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for preventing or treating autoimmune diseases in a mammal which comprises administering to the mammal an effective amount of at least one furanone derivative of the formula (I): <IMAGE> (I) wherein X is hydrogen, hydroxy, a lower alkyl group or a lower alkylene group; Y is hydrogen, hydroxy or a lower alkyl group; Z is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group or a lower hydroxyalkyl group; and the broken line represents the presence or absence of a second bond; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.