Anti-arthritic compositions comprising N-heterocyclic pulvinic acid amides and methods of producing anti-arthritic activity

A pharmaceutical composition having anti-arthritic activity, in dosage unit form, comprising a pharmaceutical carrier and an effective but nontoxic amount of a compound of the formula:

• ##SPC5##
• in which:
• R.sup.1, r.sup.2, r.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen, lower alkyl of from one to four carbon atoms, lower alkoxy of from one to four carbon atoms, phenyl, phenoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy or, taken together in adjacent positions, methylenedioxy;
• and
• Het is a heterocyclic moiety of the formula:
• ##SPC6##
• in which:
• X is S, NH or O;
• Y is N or CH;
• R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are hydrogen, methyl or halogen, or together form a 1,2-benzo radical;
• R.sup.7 is hydrogen, methyl or halogen;
• and
• indicates an optional double bond.