Heteroaryl-substituted pyrrole derivatives, their preparation and their therapeutic uses

• US 20050283006A1
• Filed: 04/10/2003
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sankyo Company Limited (Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Sankyo Company Limited (Daiichi Sankyo Company Limited)
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Takanori, Shimozato, Takaichi, Nakao, Akira, Aoki, Kazumasa, Kimura, Tomio, Nagasaki, Takayoshi, Ohkawa, Nobuyuki, Ushiyama, Shigeru
• Application Number:
  US10/411,061
• Publication Number:
  US 20050283006A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 546/135
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 401/04 directly linked by a ring-member-to-ring-member bond
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 401/14 containing three or more hetero rings
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 451/02 containing not further condensed 8-azabicyclo [3.2.1] octane or 3-oxa-9-azatricyclo [3.3.1.0<2,4>] nonane ring systems, e.g. tropane; Cyclic acetals thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 453/02 containing not further condensed quinuclidine ring systems
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 455/02 containing not further condensed quinolizine ring systems
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 471/04 Ortho-condensed systems
• CPC Class Codes: C07D 487/04 Ortho-condensed systems

Abstract

Compounds having activity against production of inflammatory cytokines of formula (I)′:
A′ is pyrrole; R^1′ is aryl or heteroaryl; R^2′ is heteroaryl having at least one nitrogen atom; R^3′ is (IIa)′, (IIb)′ or (IIc)′:
m′ is 1 or 2; one of D′ and E′ is nitrogen and the other is >C(R^5′)—, R^5′ is hydrogen, Substituent α′ or Substituent β′; B′ is nitrogen-containing 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic; R^4′ is 1 to 3 substituents from Substituent α′, Substituent β′ and Substituent γ′; R^1′ and R^3′ are bonded to two atoms of the pyrrole adjacent to the pyrrole atom bonded to R^2′; Substituent α′: hydroxyl, nitro, cyano, halogen, alkoxy, halogeno alkoxy, alkylthio, halogeno alkylthio or —NR^a′R^b′; R^a′ and R^b′ are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl or alkylsulfonyl, or R^a′ and R^b′ with the nitrogen atom form a heterocyclyl; Substituent β′: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl or cycloalkyl; Substituent γ′: oxo, hydroxyimino, alkoxyimino, alkylene, alkylenedioxy, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, aryl, aryloxy, alkylidenyl or aralkylidenyl.

Claims

1. A compound of formula (I), or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof:

wherein;

A represents a pyrrole ring;

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of

aryl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group a defined below,

Substituent group β

defined below, Substituent group γ

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below, and

heteroaryl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below, Substituent group β

defined below, Substituent group γ

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below;

R² represents a heteroaryl group defined below having at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heteroaryl group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below, Substituent group β

defined below, Substituent group γ

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below;

R³ represents a group of the formula —

X—

R⁴, wherein;

X is selected from the group consisting of

single bonds,

lower alkylene groups, defined below, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

defined below, lower alkenylene groups, defined below, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

defined below, and lower alkynylene groups, defined below, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

defined below; and

R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of

cycloalkyl groups defined below which are substituted with at least one susbtituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β

defined below and Substituent group γ

defined below and which may optionally be further substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below,

aryl groups defined below which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β

defined below and Substituent group γ

defined below and which may optionally be further substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below,

heterocyclyl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below and which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β

defined below and Substituent group γ

defined below, heterocyclyl groups defined below having at least one nitrogen atom, said heterocyclyl groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group a defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below,

heteroaryl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below and which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β

defined below and Substituent group γ

defined below,

heteroaryl groups defined below having at least one nitrogen atom, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined below and Substituent group δ

defined below, and

groups of formula —

NR^aR^b, wherein R^a and R^b are the same or different from each other and each is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups defined below, lower alkenyl groups defined below, lower alkynyl groups defined below, aralkyl groups defined below and lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below;

PROVIDED THAT said substituents R¹ and R³ are bonded to the two atoms of said pyrrole ring which are adjacent to the atom of the pyrrole ring to which said substituent R² is bonded;

Substituent group α

comprises hydroxyl groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups defined below, halogeno lower alkoxy groups defined below, lower alkylthio groups defined below, and halogeno lower alkylthio groups defined below;

Substituent group β

comprises groups of formula —

NR^cR^d, wherein R^c and R^d are the same or different from each other and each is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups defined below, lower alkenyl groups defined below, lower alkynyl groups defined below, aralkyl groups defined below and lower alkylsulfonyl groups, or

R^c and R^d, together with the nitrogen atom to which R^c and R^d are bonded, form a heterocyclyl group defined below;

Substituent group γ

comprises lower alkyl groups defined below which are substituted with a group of formula —

NR^cR^d, wherein R^c and R^d are as defined above; and

Substituent group δ

comprises lower alkyl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

defined above, lower alkenyl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

defined above, lower alkynyl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

defined above, aralkyl groups defined below and cycloalkyl groups defined below;

said optionally substituted aryl groups in the definitions of substituents R¹ and R⁴ above are aromatic hydrocarbon groups having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms in one or more rings, said aromatic hydrocarbon groups optionally being fused with a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally substituted heteroaryl groups in the definition of substituent R¹ above and said heteroaryl groups which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β

defined above and Substituent group γ

defined above and which may optionally be further substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group a defined above and Substituent group δ

defined above in the definition of substituent R⁴ above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, said aromatic heterocyclic groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups as defined above and cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally substituted heteroaryl groups having at least one ring nitrogen atom in the definition of substituent R² above and said optionally substituted heteroaryl groups having at least one ring nitrogen atom in the definition of substituent R⁴ above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two nitrogen atoms and optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms;

said lower alkylene groups in the definition of group X above are straight or branched alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkenylene groups in the definition of group X above are straight or branched alkenylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkynylene groups in the definition of group X above are straight or branched alkynylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said cycloalkyl groups in the definitions of substituent R⁴ above and Substituent group δ

above are cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;

said heterocyclyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined above and Substituent group δ

defined above and which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β

defined above and Substituent group γ

defined above in the definition of substituent R⁴ above are non-aromatic heterocyclic groups having from 4 to 14 ring atoms in one or more rings, at least one of said ring atoms being a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heterocyclyl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups as defined above and heteroaryl groups as defined above;

said heterocyclyl groups having at least one ring nitrogen atom in which said heterocyclyl groups may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

defined above and Substituent group δ

defined above in the definition of substituent R⁴ above are 4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one nitrogen atom and optionally containing one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms, said non-aromatic heterocyclic groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups as defined above and heteroaryl groups as defined above;

said lower alkyl groups in the definition of substituents R^a, R^b, R^c and R^d above, said lower alkyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group a in the definition of Substituent group δ

above and said lower alkyl moiety of the lower alkyl groups substituted with a group of formula —

NR^cR^d in the definition of Substituent group γ

above are straight or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkenyl groups in the definition of substituents R^a, R^b, R^c and R^d above and said lower alkenyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group a in the definition of Substituent group δ

above are straight or branched alkenyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkynyl groups in the definition of substituents R^a, R^b, R^c and R^d above and said lower alkynyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

in the definition of Substituent group δ

above are straight or branched alkynyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkyl groups in the definition of R^a, R^b, R^c and R^d above and in the definition of Substituent group δ

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are substituted with at least one aryl group as defined above;

said lower alkylsulfonyl groups in the definition of substituents R^a, R^b, R^c and R^d are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are bonded to a sulfonyl group;

said heterocyclyl groups formed by substituents R^c and R^d together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded are heterocyclyl groups having at least one nitrogen atom as defined above in relation to substituent R⁴ above, said heterocyclyl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups as defined above and heteroaryl groups as defined above;

said lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are bonded to an oxygen atom;

said halogeno lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

above are lower alkoxy groups as defined above which are substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are bonded to a sulfur atom; and

said halogeno lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

above are lower alkylthio groups as defined above which are substituted with at least one halogen atom;

PROVIDED THAT R³ is not a group of the following formula (II);

wherein;

m represents 0 or 1;

n represents 1 or 2;

R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different from one another and each is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

one of D and E represents a group of formula >

NR¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, and the other represents a group of formula >

CR¹¹R¹² wherein R¹¹ and R¹² are the same or different from one another and each is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, or

R⁶ may form, together with R⁵ or R⁷, a single bond, and/or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together may form a straight or branched alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

when R¹ is phenyl or naphthyl, and R² is pyridyl or pyrimidinyl.

2. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R¹ is an aryl group as defined in claim 1 which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

3. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R¹ is a phenyl or naphthyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

4. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R¹ is a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

¹ defined below, Substituent group β

¹ defined below, Substituent group γ

¹ defined below and Substituent group δ

¹ defined below;

said Substituent group α

¹ comprises halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups as defined in claim 1 and halogeno lower alkoxy groups as defined in claim 1;

said Substituent group β

¹ comprises a group of formula —

NR^cR^d wherein one of R^c and R^d is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 and aralkyl groups as defined in claim 1;

said Substituent group γ

¹ comprises lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 which are substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino groups, amino groups substituted with one or two lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 and amino groups substituted with an aralkyl group as defined in claim 1;

and

said Substituent group δ

¹ comprises lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1, halogeno lower alkyl groups comprising lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 which are substituted with at least one halogen atom, hydroxy lower alkyl groups comprising lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 which are substituted with at least one hydroxy group and nitro lower alkyl groups comprising lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 which are substituted with at least one nitro group.

5. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R¹ is a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups comprising lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 which are substituted with at least one halogen atom and halogeno lower alkoxy groups as as defined in claim 1.

6. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R¹ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups.

7. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

8. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R² is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

9. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically-acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

10. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ

and Substituent group δ

.

11. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable-salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino and α

-methylbenzylamino groups.

12. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

and Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

;

phenyl or naphthyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

;

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

;

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one nitrogen atom and optionally one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atom and nitrogen atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

;

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may be optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

;

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

; and

groups of formula —

NR^aR^b wherein R^a and R^b are as defined in claim 1.

13. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of single bonds, alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

, alkenylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α and

alkynylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

.

14. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of single bonds, alkylene groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

, alkenylene groups having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α and

alkynylene groups having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

.

15. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein X is a single bond or an alkenylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

16. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R³ is a group of the following formula (II):

wherein;

m represents 0 or 1;

n represents 1 or 2;

R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ may be the same or different from one another and each is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

one of D and E represents a group of formula >

NR¹⁰ wherein R¹⁰ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, and the other represents a group of formula >

CR¹¹R¹² wherein R¹¹ and R¹² are the same or different from one another and each is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent-group δ

, or

R⁶ may form, together with R⁵ or R⁷, a single bond, and/or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together may form a straight or branched alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

17. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein m is 1 and n is 1.

18. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein E represents a group of formula >

NR¹⁰ and D represents a group of formula >

CR¹¹R¹².

19. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein one of R⁵ and R⁷ together with R⁶ represents a single bond and the other represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R⁸, R⁹ and R¹² may be the same or different from one another and each represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ may be the same or different from one another and each represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form an alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

20. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16, wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form a straight chain alkylene group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

21. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16, wherein each of R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ is a hydrogen atom, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form a straight chain alkylene group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

22. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 21 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein said compound of formula (I) is a compound of formula (I-1) or (I-3) below:

23. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R¹ is an aryl group as defined in claim 1 which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

; and

R³ is a group of formula —

X—

R⁴ wherein;

R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of

cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

phenyl or naphthyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

.

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one nitrogen atom and optionally one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, sulfur atom and nitrogen atom, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

,

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may be optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

, and groups of formula —

NR^aR^b wherein R^a and R^b are as defined in claim 1;

and

X is selected from the group consisting of single bonds, alkylene groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

, alkenylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α and

alkynylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

.

24. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R¹ is an aryl group as defined in claim 1 which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R² is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substibient group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

; and

R³ is a group of formula —

X—

R⁴ wherein;

R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of

cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

phenyl or naphthyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

, 4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one nitrogen atom and optionally one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, sulfur atom and nitrogen atom, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

,

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may be optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

, and groups of formula —

NR^aR^b wherein R^a and R^b+ are as defined in claim 1;

and

X is selected from the group consisting of single bonds, alkylene groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

, alkenylene groups having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α and

alkynylene groups having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

.

25. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is a phenyl or naphthyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R² is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

; and

R³ is a group of formula —

X—

R⁴ wherein;

R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of

cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

phenyl or naphthyl groups which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

4- to 12-membered non-aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one nitrogen atom and optionally one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of an oxygen atom, sulfur atom and nitrogen atom, which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from time group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

,

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, which may be optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ and

which are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group β and

Substituent group γ

,

5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing one or two nitrogen atoms, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α and

Substituent group δ

, and groups of formula —

NR^aR^b wherein R^a and R^b are as defined in claim 1;

and

X is a single bond or an alkenylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

26. A compound according to claim 1 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is a phenyl or naphthyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R² is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

27. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

¹ defined below, Substituent group β

¹ defined below, Substituent group γ

¹ defined below and Substituent group δ

¹ defined below;

R³ is a group of said formula (II) wherein m is 1 and n is 1;

said Substituent group α

¹ comprises halogen atoms, said lower alkoxy groups and said halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

said Substituent group β

¹ comprises a group of formula —

NR^cR^d wherein one of R^c and R^d is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and said lower alkyl groups and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said lower alkyl groups and said aralkyl groups;

said Substituent group γ

¹ comprises lower alkyl groups as defined in claim 1 which are substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino groups, amino groups substituted with one or two of said lower alkyl groups and amino groups substituted with said aralkyl group; and

said Substituent group δ

¹ comprises said lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one halogen atom, hydroxy lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one hydroxy group and nitro lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one nitro group.

28. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

¹ defined below, Substituent group β

¹ defined below, Substituent group γ

¹ defined below and Substituent group δ

¹ defined below;

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein E represents a group of formula >

NR¹⁰ and D represents a group of formula >

CR¹¹R¹²;

said Substituent group α

¹ comprises halogen atoms, said lower alkoxy groups and said halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

said Substituent group β

¹ comprises a group of formula —

NR^cR^d wherein one of R^c and R^d is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms and said lower alkyl groups and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said lower alkyl groups and said aralkyl groups;

said Substituent group γ

¹ comprises said lower alkyl groups 1 which are substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of amino groups, amino groups substituted with one or two of said lower alkyl groups and amino groups substituted with said aralkyl groups; and

said Substituent group δ

¹ comprises said lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one halogen atom, hydroxy lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one hydroxy group and nitro lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one nitro group.

29. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups comprising said lower alkyl groups which are substituted with at least one halogen atom and said halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein one of R⁵ and R⁷ together with R⁶ represents a single bond and the other represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R⁸, R⁹ and R¹² are the same or different from one another and each represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different from one another and each represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form an alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

30. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form a straight chain alkylene group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

31. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R¹ is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein each of R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ is a hydrogen atom, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form a straight chain alkylene group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

32. A compound according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

; and

R³ is a group of formula (II) wherein m is 1 and n is 1.

33. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

; and

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein E represents a group of formula >

NR¹⁰ and D represents a group of formula >

CR¹¹R¹².

34. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted at the 2-thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

; and

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein one of R⁵ and R⁷ together with R⁶ represents a single bond and the other represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

;

R⁸, R⁹ and R¹² are the same or different from one another and each represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ are the same or different from one another and each represents a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

or R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form an alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

35. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form a straight chain alkylene group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

36. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 16 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein:

R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group which may optionally be substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R³ is a group of formula (II) as defined in claim 16 wherein each of R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ is a hydrogen atom, and R¹⁰ and R¹¹ together form a straight chain alkylene group having 3 or 4 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

, Substituent group β

, Substituent group γ and

Substituent group δ

.

37. A compound of formula (I) according to any one of claims 23 to 36 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof, wherein said compound of formula (I) is a compound of formula (I-1) or (1-3) below:

38. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 selected from the following group of compounds, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof:

4-(3-aminopropyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

4-(3-acetylaminopropyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(3-methylaminopropyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrol-3-yl]-(pyridin-4-yl)methanol,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(piperidin-4-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(piperidin-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

1-(1-acetylpiperidin-4-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[1-(2-nitroethyl)piperidin-4-yl]-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[3-(morpholin-1-yl)propyl]-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(piperidin-3-yl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

1-(azetidin-3-yl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

4-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[3-(piperidin-1-yl)propyl]-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-[3-(1-methylpiperazin-4-yl)propyl]-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(1-methylpiperidin-4-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-4-(quinuclidin-2-en-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-4-(quinuclidin-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(4-hydroxypiperidin-4-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1-(quinuclidin-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

1-(4-aminocyclohexyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(2-methylaminopyrimidin-4-yl)-1-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-3-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-3-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

4-(8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-3-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-4-(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

4-(1-ethylpiperidin-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

4-(3-dimethylamino-1-propen-1-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

4-(4-aminobutyl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole, and

2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(1,2,3,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydroindolizin-7-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole.

39. A compound of formula (I) according to claim 1 selected from the following group of compounds, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof:

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(piperidin-4-yl)-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole,

3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-[3-(morpholin-1-yl)propyl]-2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole and

4-(8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-3-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole.

40. A compound according to claim 1, which is 4-(8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-3-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

41. A compound according to claim 1, which is 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-4-(quinuclidin-2-en-3-yl)-1H-pyrrole, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

42. A compound according to claim 1, which is 2-(4-fluorophenyl)-4-(8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-2-en-3-yl)-3-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof.

43. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of an inflammatory cytokine in a human together with a carrier therefore, wherein said pharmacologically active compound is a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

44. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of an inflammatory cytokine in a human, together with a carrier therefore, wherein said pharmacologically active compound is a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof according to claim 22.

45. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of an inflammatory cytokine in a human, together with a carrier therefore, wherein said pharmacologically active compound is a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof according to any one of claims 23 to 36.

46. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of an inflammatory cytokine in a human, together with a carrier therefore, wherein said pharmacologically active compound is a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof according to claim 37.

47. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of an inflammatory cytokine in a human, together with a carrier therefore, wherein said pharmacologically active compound is a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof according to any one of claims 38 to 42.

48. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines in a human which comprises administering to a human in need thereof a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

49. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines in a human which comprises administering to a human in need thereof a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof according to claim 22.

50. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines in a human which comprises administering to a human in need thereof a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof according to any one of claims 23 to 36.

51. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines in a human which comprises administering to a human in need thereof a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof according to claim 37.

52. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease which is treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines in a human which comprises administering to a human in need thereof a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt or ester thereof according to any one of claims 38 to 42.

53. A method according to claim 48 for inhibiting bone resorption.

54. A method according to claim 52 for inhibiting bone resorption.

55. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of an inflammatory disease.

56. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of an inflammatory disease.

57. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of a viral disease.

58. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of a viral disease.

59. A method according to claim 48 for relieving pain or pyrexia.

60. A method according to claim 52 for relieving pain or pyrexia.

61. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

62. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

63. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of osteoarthritis.

64. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of osteoarthritis.

65. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of cancer.

66. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of cancer.

67. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of hepatitis.

68. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of hepatitis.

69. A method according to claim 48 for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease selected from the group consisting of an allergic disease, septicaemia, psoriasis, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, nephritis, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease and arteriosclerosis.

70. A method according to claim 52 for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease selected from the group consisting of an allergic disease, septicaemia, psoriasis, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, nephritis, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease and arteriosclerosis.

90. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups which is optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

as defined in claim 69.

71. A compound of formula (I)′

, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof;

wherein;

A′

represents a pyrrole ring;

R^1′

is selected from the group consisting of

aryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below, and

heteroaryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below;

R^2′

represents a heteroaryl group defined below which has at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heteroaryl group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below; and

R^3′

represents a group of formula (IIa)′

, (IIb)′

or (IIc)′

shown below;

wherein

m′

represents 1 or 2,

one of D′ and

E′

represents a nitrogen atom and the other represents a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below,

B′

represents a 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring which has at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heterocyclic ring being saturated or unsaturated, and is optionally fused with a group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined below, heteroaryl groups defined below, cycloalkyl groups defined below and heterocyclyl groups defined below, and

R^4′

represents from 1 to 3 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below, Substituent group β

′

defined below and Substituent group γ

′

defined below, or

when B′

is a heterocyclic ring which is fused to an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group, R^4′

may be a hydrogen atom;

PROVIDED THAT said substituents R^1′

and R^3′

are bonded to the two atoms of said pyrrole ring which are adjacent to the atom of the pyrrole ring to which said substituent R^2′

is bonded;

Substituent group α

′

is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups defined below, halogeno lower alkoxy groups defined below, lower alkylthio groups defined below, halogeno lower alkylthio groups defined below and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein R^a′

and R^b′

are the same or different from each other and each is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups defined below, lower alkenyl groups defined below, lower alkynyl groups defined below, aralkyl groups defined below and lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below, or R^a′

and R^b′

, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclyl group;

Substituent group β

′

is selected from the group consiting of lower alkyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, lower alkenyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, lower alkynyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, aralkyl groups defined below and cycloalkyl groups defined below;

Substituents group γ

′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups defined below, lower alkylene groups defined below, lower alkylenedioxy groups defined below, lower alkylsulfinyl groups defined below, lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below, aryl groups defined below which are optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above and Substituent group β

′

defined above, aryloxy groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, Substituent group β

′

defined above, lower alkylidenyl groups and aralkylidenyl groups;

said optionally substituted aryl groups in the definitions of R^1′

, ring B′ and

Substituent group γ

′

above are aromatic hydrocarbon groups having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms in one or more rings, said aryl groups optionally being fused with a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally subsituted heteroaryl groups in the definition of R^1′

and ring B′

above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heteroaryl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined above and cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally substituted heteroaryl groups having at least one ring nitrogen atom in the definition of R^2′

above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms;

said lower alkyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkyl moiety of said lower alkyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkenyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkenyl moiety of said lower alkenyl groups which are optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkenyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkynyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkynyl moiety of said lower alkynyl groups which are optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkynyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are substituted with at least one aryl group as defined above which optionally are substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above and Substituent group β

′

defined above;

said lower alkylsulfonyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent γ

′

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are bonded to a sulfonyl group;

where ring B′

is fused with a heterocyclyl group, said heterocyclyl groups are 4- to 7-membered heterocyclyl groups which contain from 1 to 3 ring heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms;

where R^a′

and R^b′

together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a heterocyclyl group, said heterocyclyl groups are 4- to 7-membered heterocyclyl groups which contain one nitrogen atom and which optionally contain one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heterocyclyl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined above and heteroaryl groups defined above;

said lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which an oxygen atom is bonded to a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said halogeno lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a lower alkoxy group as defined above is substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a sulfur atom is bonded to a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said halogeno lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a lower alkylthio group as defined above is substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said cycloalkyl groups in the definition of Substituent group β

′ and

ring B′

above are cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;

said lower alkoxyimino groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups wherein the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyimino group is replaced by a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said lower alkylene groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are alkylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkylenedioxy groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups wherein an alkylene moiety, which is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, is subsitituted with 2 oxy groups;

said lower alkylsulfinyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups in which a lower alkyl group as defined above is bonded to a sulfinyl group;

said lower alkylidenyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are straight or branched alkylidenyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkylidenyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are lower alkylidenyl groups as defined above which are substituted with 1 or more aryl groups as defined above;

said optionally substituted aryloxy groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups in which an oxygen atom is attached to an aryl group as defined above;

PROVIDED THAT m′

is not 1 when R^1′

is phenyl or naphthyl, R^2′

is pyridyl or pyrimidinyl, E′

is a nitrogen atom, D′

is a group of the formula >

C(R^5′

)— and

B′

is a 5-membered heterocyclic ring which has at least one ring nitrogen atom.

72. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

73. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

74. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below;

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group;

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups.

75. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups.

76. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups.

77. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

78. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

79. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

80. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

81. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups.

82. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein B′

is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which has one ring nitrogen atom and optionally has one further ring heteroatom or ring group selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, sulfur atom, >

SO and >

SO₂, said ring is saturated or unsaturated and optionally is fused with an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group.

83. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein B′

is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which includes the group D′

, the group E′ and

three or four carbon atoms, said ring is saturated or unsaturated and optionally is fused with an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group.

84. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein B′

is a pyrrolidinyl ring or a pyrrolinyl ring.

85. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

.

86. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

.

87. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein m′

is 1.

88. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^4′

is 1 or 2 substituents which are selected independently from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′ and

a Substituent group γ

^1′

, wherein said Substituent group γ

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups, lower alkylene groups, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylsulfinyl groups, lower alkylsulfonyl groups and aryl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

89. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

91. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups.

92. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

93. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

94. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom.

95. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein said compound of formula (I)′

is represented by the formula (I-1)′

or (I-3)′

shown below;

96. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is represented by the formula (I-1)′

below;

97. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

m′

is 1,

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is 1 or 2 substituents which are selected independently from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′ and

Substituent group γ

^1′

, wherein said Substituent group γ

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups, lower alkylene groups, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylsulfinyl groups, lower alkylsulfonyl groups and aryl groups which are optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

98. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

99. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below,

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group, and

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

100. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

101. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups.

102. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

103. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

104. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below,

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group, and said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

105. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which is substituted optionally with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

106. A compound according to claim 71 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein:

R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

107. A compound according to any one of claims 97 to 106 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is a compound of formula (I-1)′

or (I-3)′

shown below;

108. A compound according to any one of claims 97 to 106 or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is a compound of formula (I-1)′

shown below;

109. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmacologically effective amount of a pharmacologically active compound together with a carrier therefor, wherein said pharmacologically active compound is a compound of formula (I)′

or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof;

wherein;

A′

represents a pyrrole ring;

R^1′

is selected from the group consisting of

aryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below, and

heteroaryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below;

R^2′

represents a heteroaryl group defined below which has at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heteroaryl group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below; and

R^3′

represents a group of formula (IIa)′

, (IIb)′

or (IIc)′

shown below;

wherein

m′

represents 1 or 2,

one of D′ and

E′

represents a nitrogen atom and the other represents a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below,

B′

represents a 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring which has at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heterocyclic ring being saturated or unsaturated, and optionally is fused with a group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined below, heteroaryl groups defined below, cycloalkyl groups defined below and heterocyclyl groups defined below, and

R^4′

represents from 1 to 3 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below, Substituent group β

′

defined below and Substituent group γ

′

defined below, or

when B′

is a heterocyclic ring which is fused to an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group, R^4′

may be a hydrogen atom;

PROVIDED THAT said substituents R^1′

and R^3′

are bonded to the two atoms of said pyrrole ring which are adjacent to the atom of the pyrrole ring to which said substituent R^2′

is bonded;

Substituent group α

′

is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups defined below, halogeno lower alkoxy groups defined below, lower alkylthio groups defined below, halogeno lower alkylthio groups defined below and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein R^a′

and R^b′

are the same or different from each other and each is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups defined below, lower alkenyl groups defined below, lower alkynyl groups defined below, aralkyl groups defined below and lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below, or R^a′

and R^b′

, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclyl group;

Substituent group β

′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, lower alkenyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, lower alkynyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, aralkyl groups defined below and cycloalkyl groups defined below;

Substituents group γ

′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups defined below, lower alkylene groups defined below, lower alkylenedioxy groups defined below, lower alkylsulfinyl groups defined below, lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below, aryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above and Substituent group β

′

defined above, aryloxy groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, Substituent group β

′

defined above, lower alkylidenyl groups and aralkylidenyl groups;

said optionally substituted aryl groups in the definitions of R^1′

, ring B′ and

Substituent group γ

′

above are aromatic hydrocarbon groups having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms in one or more rings, said aryl groups optionally being fused with a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally subsituted heteroaryl groups in the definition of R^1′

and ring B′

above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heteroaryl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined above and cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally substituted heteroaryl groups having at least one ring nitrogen atom in the definition of R^2′

above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms;

said lower alkyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkyl moiety of said lower alkyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkenyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkenyl moiety of said lower alkenyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkenyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkynyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkynyl moiety of said lower alkynyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkynyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are substituted with at least one aryl group as defined above which optionally are substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above and Substituent group β

′

defined above;

said lower alkylsulfonyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent γ

′

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are bonded to a sulfonyl group;

where ring B′

is fused with a heterocyclyl group, said heterocyclyl groups are 4- to 7-membered heterocyclyl groups which contain from 1 to 3 ring heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms;

where R^a′

and R^b′

together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a heterocyclyl group, said heterocyclyl groups are 4- to 7-membered heterocyclyl groups which contain one nitrogen atom and which optionally contain one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heterocyclyl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined above and heteroaryl groups defined above;

said lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which an oxygen atom is bonded to a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said halogeno lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a lower alkoxy group as defined above is substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a sulfur atom is bonded to a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said halogeno lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a lower alkylthio group as defined above is substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said cycloalkyl groups in the definition of Substituent group β

′ and

ring B′

above are cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;

said lower alkoxyimino groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups wherein the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyimino group is replaced by a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said lower alkylene groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are alkylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkylenedioxy groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups wherein an alkylene moiety, which is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, is subsitituted with 2 oxy groups;

said lower alkylsulfinyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups in which a lower alkyl group as defined above is bonded to a sulfinyl group;

said lower alkylidenyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are straight or branched alkylidenyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkylidenyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are lower alkylidenyl groups as defined above which are substituted with 1 or more aryl groups as defined above;

said optionally substituted aryloxy groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups in which an oxygen atom is attached to an aryl group as defined above,

PROVIDED that m′

is not 1 when R^1′

is phenyl or naphthyl, R^2′

is pyridyl or pyrimidinyl, E′

is a nitrogen atom, D′

is a group of the formula >

C(R^5′

)— and

B′

is a 5-membered heterocyclic ring which has at least one ring nitrogen atom.

110. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

111. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

112. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below;

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group;

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups.

113. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl and halogeno lower alkoxy groups.

114. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups.

115. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

116. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

117. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

118. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

119. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups.

120. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein B′

is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which has one ring nitrogen atom and optionally has one further ring heteroatom or ring group selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, sulfur atom, >

SO and >

SO₂, said ring is saturated or unsaturated and optionally is fused with an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group.

121. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein B′

is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which includes the group D′

, the group E′ and

three or four carbon atoms, said ring is saturated or unsaturated and optionally is fused with an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group.

122. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein B′

is a pyrrolidinyl ring or a pyrrolinyl ring.

123. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

.

124. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

.

125. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein m′

is 1.

126. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^4′

is 1 or 2 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′ and

a Substituent group γ

^1′

, wherein said Substituent group γ

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups, lower alkylene groups, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylsulfinyl groups, lower alkylsulfonyl groups and aryl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′ and

Substituent group β

′

.

127. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

128. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

129. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups.

130. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

131. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

132. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom.

133. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein said compound of formula (I)′

is represented by the formula (I-1)′

or (I-3)′

shown below;

134. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is represented by the formula (I-1)′

below;

135. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

m′

is 1,

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′ and

E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is 1 or 2 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′ and

Substituent group γ

^1′

, wherein said Substituent group γ

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups, lower alkylene groups, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylsulfinyl groups, lower alkylsulfonyl groups and aryl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

136. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

137. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below,

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group, and

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

138. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

139. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups.

140. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

141. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

142. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below,

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group, and

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

143. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

144. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 109, wherein:

R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R² is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

-wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

145. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 135 to 144 wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is a compound of formula (I-1)′

or (I-3)′

shown below;

146. A pharmaceutical composition according to any one of claims 135 to 144 wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is a compound of formula (I-1)′

;

147. A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease treatable or preventable by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines in a mammal which comprises administering to said mammal a pharmacologically effective amount of a compound of formula (I)′

or a pharmacologically acceptable salt, ester or other derivative thereof;

wherein;

A′

represents a pyrrole ring;

R^1′

is selected from the group consisting of

aryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below, and

heteroaryl groups defined below which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below;

R^2′

represents a heteroaryl group defined below which has at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heteroaryl group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below; and

R^3′

represents a group of formula (IIa)′

, (IIb)′

or (IIc)′

shown below;

wherein

m′

represents 1 or 2,

one of D′ and

E′

represents a nitrogen atom and the other represents a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, Substituent group α

′

defined below and Substituent group β

′

defined below,

B′

represents a 4- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring which has at least one ring nitrogen atom, said heterocyclic ring being saturated or unsaturated, and optionally being fused with a group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined below, heteroaryl groups defined below, cycloalkyl groups defined below and heterocyclyl groups defined below, and

R^4′

represents from 1 to 3 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined below, Substituent group β

′

defined below and Substituent group γ

′

defined below, or

when B′

is a heterocyclic ring which is fused to an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group, R^4′

may be a hydrogen atom;

PROVIDED THAT said substituents R^1′

and R^3′

are bonded to the two atoms of said pyrrole ring which are adjacent to the atom of the pyrrole ring to which said substituent R^2′

is bonded;

Substituent group α

′

is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups defined below, halogeno lower alkoxy groups defined below, lower alkylthio groups defined below, halogeno lower alkylthio groups defined below and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein R^a′

and R^b′

are the same or different from each other and each is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, lower alkyl groups defined below, lower alkenyl groups defined below, lower alkynyl groups defined below, aralkyl groups defined below and lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below, or R^a′

and R^b′

, taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocyclyl group;

Substituent group β

′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, lower alkenyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, lower alkynyl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, aralkyl groups defined below and cycloalkyl groups defined below;

Substituents group γ

′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups defined below, lower alkylene groups defined below, lower alkylenedioxy groups defined below, lower alkylsulfinyl groups defined below, lower alkylsulfonyl groups defined below, aryl groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, Substituent group β

′

defined above, aryloxy groups defined below which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above, Substituent group β

′

defined above, lower alkylidenyl groups and aralkylidenyl groups;

said optionally substituted aryl groups in the definitions of R^1′

, ring B′ and

Substituent group γ

′

above are aromatic hydrocarbon groups having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms in one or more rings, said aryl groups optionally being fused with a cycloalkyl group having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally subsituted heteroaryl groups in the definition of R^1′

and ring B′

above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing from 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heteroaryl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined above and cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms;

said optionally substituted heteroaryl groups having at least one ring nitrogen atom in the definition of R^2′

above are 5- to 7-membered aromatic heterocyclic groups containing at least one nitrogen atom and optionally containing one or two further heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of sulfur atoms, oxygen atoms and nitrogen atoms;

said lower alkyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkyl moiety of said lower alkyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkenyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkenyl moiety of said lower alkenyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkenyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkynyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above, and the lower alkynyl moiety of said lower alkynyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′

in the definition of Substituent group β

′

above are straight or branched alkynyl groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent group β

′

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are substituted with at least one aryl group as defined above which optionally are substituted with from 1 to 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′

defined above and Substituent group β

′

defined above;

said lower alkylsulfonyl groups in the definitions of R^a′

, R^b′

and Substituent γ

′

above are lower alkyl groups as defined above which are bonded to a sulfonyl group;

where ring B′

is fused with a heterocyclyl group, said heterocyclyl groups are 4- to 7-membered heterocyclyl groups which contain from 1 to 3 ring heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms;

where R^a′

and R^b′

together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached represent a heterocyclyl group, said heterocyclyl groups are 4- to 7-membered heterocyclyl groups which contain one nitrogen atom and which optionally contain one further heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen atoms, sulfur atoms and nitrogen atoms, said heterocyclyl groups optionally being fused with another cyclic group selected from the group consisting of aryl groups defined above and heteroaryl groups defined above;

said lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which an oxygen atom is bonded to a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said halogeno lower alkoxy groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a lower alkoxy group as defined above is substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a sulfur atom is bonded to a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said halogeno lower alkylthio groups in the definition of Substituent group α

′

above are groups in which a lower alkylthio group as defined above is substituted with at least one halogen atom;

said cycloalkyl groups in the definition of Substituent group β

′ and

ring B′

above are cycloalkyl groups having from 3 to 7 carbon atoms;

said lower alkoxyimino groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups wherein the hydrogen atom of a hydroxyimino group is replaced by a lower alkyl group as defined above;

said lower alkylene groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are alkylene groups having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms;

said lower alkylenedioxy groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups wherein an alkylene moiety, which is a straight or branched chain alkylene group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, is subsitituted with 2 oxy groups;

said lower alkylsulfinyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups in which a lower alkyl group as defined above is bonded to a sulfinyl group;

said lower alkylidenyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are straight or branched alkylidenyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

said aralkylidenyl groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are lower alkylidenyl groups as defined above which are substituted with 1 or more aryl groups as defined above;

said optionally substituted aryloxy groups in the definition of Substituent group γ

′

above are groups in which an oxygen atom is attached to an aryl group as defined above,

PROVIDED THAT m′

is not 1 when R^1′

is phenyl or naphthyl, R^2′

is pyridyl or pyrimidinyl, E′

is a nitrogen atom, D′

is a group of the formula >

C(R^5′

)— and

B′

is a 5-membered heterocyclic ring which has at least one ring nitrogen atom.

148. A method according to claim 147, wherein the mammal is a human.

149. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

150. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

151. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below;

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group;

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups.

152. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^1′

is a phenyl group which may optionally be substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups.

153. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups.

154. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

155. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

156. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

157. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

158. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups.

159. A method according to claim 148, wherein B′

is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which has one ring nitrogen atom and optionally has one further ring heteroatom or ring group selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen atom, oxygen atom, sulfur atom, >

SO and >

SO₂, said ring may be saturated or unsaturated and optionally is fused with an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group.

160. A method according to claim 148, wherein B′

is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring which includes the group D′

, the group E′ and

three or four carbon atoms, said ring is saturated or unsaturated and optionally is fused with an aryl group, a heteroaryl group, a cycloalkyl group or a heterocyclyl group.

161. A method according to claim 148, wherein B′

is a pyrrolidinyl ring or a pyrrolinyl ring.

162. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

.

163. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

.

164. A method according to claim 148, wherein m′

is 1.

165. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^4′

is 1 or 2 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′ and

a Substituent group γ

^1′

, wherein said Substituent group γ

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups, lower alkylene groups, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylsulfinyl groups, lower alkylsulfonyl groups and aryl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α and

said Substituent group β

′

.

166. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

167. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

168. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups.

169. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

170. A method according to claim 148, wherein R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

171. A method according to claim 148, wherein D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom.

172. A method according to claim 148, wherein said compound of formula (I)′

is represented by the formula (I-1)′

or (I-3)′

shown below;

173. A method according to claim 148, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is represented by the formula (I-1)′

below;

174. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

m′

is 1,

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is 1 or 2 substituents which are independently selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′ and

Substituent group γ

^1′

, wherein said Substituent group γ

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of oxo groups, hydroxyimino groups, lower alkoxyimino groups, lower alkylene groups, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylsulfinyl groups, lower alkylsulfonyl groups and aryl groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

175. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

176. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below,

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group and

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, lower alkylthio groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups, lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, oxo groups, aryl groups optionally substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, lower alkylenedioxy groups, lower alkylene groups and lower alkylsulfonyl groups.

177. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

—

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy groups, fluorine atoms, chlorine atoms, methoxy groups, ethoxy groups, propoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

.

178. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy groups, methyl groups, ethyl groups, propyl groups and phenyl groups.

179. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is an aryl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic heterocyclic group which has one or two nitrogen atoms, said group optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

180. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl or naphthyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

;

R^2′

is a pyridyl or pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of Substituent group α

′ and

Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′

, said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

181. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from Substituent group α

^1′

defined below and Substituent group β

^1′

defined below,

said Substituent group α

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, lower alkoxy groups, halogeno lower alkoxy groups and groups of formula —

NR^a′

R^b′

, wherein one of R^a′

and R^b′

represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and the other represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or an aralkyl group,

said Substituent group β

^1′

is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl groups, halogeno lower alkyl groups, hydroxyl lower alkyl groups, nitro lower alkyl groups, amino lower alkyl groups, lower alkylamino lower alkyl groups, di(lower alkyl)amino lower alkyl groups and aralkylamino lower alkyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

or formula (IIb)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of aryloxy groups which optionally are substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, alkylidene groups and aralkylidene groups.

182. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a phenyl group which optionally is substituted with at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, halogeno lower alkyl groups and halogeno lower alkoxy groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

183. A method according to claim 148, wherein:

R^1′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 3,4-difluorophenyl, 3,4,5-trifluorophenyl, 3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl, 3-difluoromethoxyphenyl and 3-trifluoromethylphenyl groups;

R^2′

is a 4-pyridyl or 4-pyrimidinyl group, said groups optionally being substituted at the 2-position thereof with a substituent selected from the group consisting of methoxy, amino, methylamino, benzylamino, and α

-methylbenzylamino groups; and

R^3′

is a group of formula (IIa)′

wherein

D′

is a group of formula >

C(R^5′

)—

, wherein R^5′

is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, said Substituent group α

′ and

said Substituent group β

′

, and E′

is a nitrogen atom, and

R^4′

is a substituent selected from the group consisting of phenoxy, methylidene, ethylidene, propylidene and benzylidene groups.

184. A method according to any one of claims 174 to 183, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

is a compound of formula (I-1)′

or (I-3)′

shown below;

185. A method according to any one of claims 174 to 183, wherein the compound of formula (I)′

s a compound of formula (I-1)′

shown below;

186. A method according to any one of claims 147 to 183, wherein the method is for inhibiting bone resporption, relieving inflammation, treating or preventing a viral disease, relieving pain or pyrexia, treating or preventing chronic rheumatoid arthritis, treating or preventing osteoarthritis, treating or preventing cancer or treating or preventing hepatitis.

187. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for inhibiting bone resorption.

188. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for relieving inflammation.

189. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of a viral disease.

190. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for relieving pain or pyrexia.

191. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of chronic rheumatoid arthritis.

192. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of osteoarthritis.

193. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of cancer.

194. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of hepatitis.

195. A method according to claim 148, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of asthma.

196. A method according to any one of claims 147 to 183, wherein said method is for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease selected from the group consisting of an allergic disease, septicaemia, psoriasis, degenerative arthritis, Crohn'"'"'s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoporosis, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, nephritis, ischemic heart disease, Alzheimer'"'"'s disease and arteriosclerosis.