Abstract: The use of a compound of general formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of a disease or condition characterised by apoptosis or degeneration of mammalian cells, wherein: R1 is a alkoxy, alkyl, ether or ester group; R2 is H or has the formula wherein Y is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic group with from 2 to 23 carbon atoms, or a cyclic group, and which can contain substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, alkoxy, amino, carboxyl, cyano, nitro, alkylsuphonyl or halogen atoms, X is O or S; and R3 is any substituent.