Heat shock factor activity inhibitors

A composition comprising a compound selected from the formula:

• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein:
• X is —CH2— and R1 is C1-C2 alkyl, formyl, or halogen;
• or
• X is —(CH2)2— and R1 is C1-C3 alkyl, formyl, acetyl, hydrogen, or halogen.

A method of inhibiting heat shock factor activation in cellular level stress;

• the method comprising contacting a cell with an effective amount of a compound selected from the formula:
• wherein:
• X is —CH2— and R1 is C1-C2 alkyl, formyl, or halogen;
• or
• X is —(CH2)2— R1 is C1-C3 alkyl, formyl, acetyl, hydrogen, or halogen;
• said stress induced heat shock factor activation is suppressed.

A method of treating a stress disease, the method comprising administering to an animal a heat shock factor inhibitory amount of a compound selected from the formula:

• wherein:
• X is —CH2— and R1 is C1-C2 alkyl, formyl, or halogen;
• or
• X is —(CH2)2— and R1 is C1-C3 alkyl, formyl, acetyl, hydrogen, or halogen.

A method of treating depression, the method comprising administering to an animal a heat shock factor inhibitory amount of a compound selected from the formula:

• wherein:
• X is —CH2— and R1 is C1-C2 alkyl, formyl, or halogen;
• or
• X is —(CH2)2— and R1 is C1-C3 alkyl, formyl, acetyl, hydrogen, or halogen.