Abstract: A compound of formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, wherein Ph is a phenyl radical R1 is H, OH, OC1-4alkyl, NO2; R2 is OH, OC1-4alkyl, OC═OC1-4alkyl or OC═OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C1-3 alkyl or NO2; R1 and R2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S or N; R3 is an optionally substituted hydroycarby radical; R4 is H, CH3, OH or ═O; when R4 is ═O, then the carbon to which R4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(═O)—CH2, CH═CH—, CH2CO, CH(OH)—CH2, C(CH3)(OH)CH2, CH2CH(OH), CH2C(CH3)OH, CO, CHOH, C(CH3)(OH), CH2, CH2CH2; X is —CH—OH, C(CH3)OH, CH2, CH(CH3) or —C═O; Y is —CH—OH, C(CH3)OH, CH2, CH(CH3) or —C═O; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group.

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I), wherein Ar is an aromatic ring system comprising one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings optionally linked to or fused with one or more other optionally substituted phenyl rings or one or more 5 or 6-membered, optionally substituted heterocyclic rings wherein the heteroatom is oxygen; and wherein the ring system comprises 1-4 phenyl rings and wherein Ar can be linked to another Ar via a group X wherein the Ar is independently selected; where X is optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 alkylene, C.sub.2-20 alkenylene or C.sub.2-20 alkynylene; R is hydrogen; C.sub.1-20 alkenyl, C.sub.2-20 alkynyl, C.sub.2-20 alkanoyl, C.sub.2-20 alkynoyl, each of which can be optionally substituted; R.sub.1 is independently selected and is hydrogen; optionally substituted C.sub.1-12 alkyl, C.sub.2-12 alkenyl, C.sub.2-12 alkynyl; --COOR'--NR'R', halogen, --OR', --COR', --CONR'R', .dbd.O, --SR', --SO.sub.3 R', --SO.sub.2 NR'R', --SOR', --SO.sub.2 R', --NO.sub.

Abstract: Use of a compound of formula (I), wherein Ar is an aromatic ring system comprising one or more optionally substituted phenyl rings optionally linked to or fused with one or more other optionally substituted phenyl rings or one or more 5 or 6-membered, optionally substituted heterocyclic rings wherein the heteroatom is oxygen; and wherein the ring system comprises 1-4 phenyl rings and wherein Ar can be linked to another Ar via a group X wherein the Ar is independently selected; where X is optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 alkylene, C.sub.2-20 alkenylene or C.sub.2-20 alkynylene; R is hydrogen; C.sub.1-20 alkenyl, C.sub.2-20 alkynyl, C.sub.2-20 alkanoyl, C.sub.2-20 alkynoyl, each of which can be optionally substituted; R.sub.1 is independently selected and is hydrogen; optionally substituted C.sub.1-12 alkyl, C.sub.2-12 alkenyl, C.sub.2-20 alkynyl; --COOR'--NR'R', halogen, --OR', --COR', --CONR'R', .dbd.O, --SR', --SO.sub.3 R', --SO.sub.2 NR'R', --SOR', --SO.sub.2 R', --NO.sub.