Tricyclic derivatives, compositions and methods of use

A method of inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-.alpha. comprising administering to a mammal in need of such inhibition an effective anti-tumor necrosis factor amount of a compound of the Formula I:

• ##STR53## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein:
• one of T and U represents N and the other represents .dbd.CH--;
• or each of T and U represents .dbd.CH--;
• the -------- line represents an optional double bond;
• when -------- a double bond, each of V and W represents .dbd.CH--;
• when -------- represents a single bond, one of V and W represents oxygen and the other represents --CH.sub.2 --;
• or each of V and W represents --CH.sub.2 --;
• R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H and halogen;
• R.sup.3 is;
• alkyl;
• alkenyl;
• alkynyl;
• aryl;
• alkaryl;
• aralkyl;
• cycloalkyl;
• alkoxy;
• (CH.sub.2).sub.n OR.sup.10 ;
• (CH.sub.2).sub.n COOR.sup.10, wherein n is 1 to 3 and R.sup.10 is or lower alkyl;
• or S(O).sub.e R.sup.11, wherein e is 0 or 2 and R.sup.11 is alkyl or aryl;
• Q represents ##STR54## wherein one of J and K represents ##STR55## and the other represents --CH.sub.2 --, with the proviso that when R.sup.3 is H, Q is limited to either:
• ##STR56## R.sup.12 is lower alkyl;
• R.sup.16 is H;
• lower alkyl;
• aryl;
• aralkyl;
• alkaryl;
• COR.sup.17 or C(O)OR.sup.18, wherein R.sup.17 is H or lower alkyl or aryl, R.sup.18 is lower alkyl or aryl;
• and
• X represents halogen.