Provided are novel low-molecular-weight compounds for suppressing the inductive production of MMPs, especially MMP-9, rather than the constitutive production of MMP-2. The present invention pertains to compounds represented by formula (I): (each of the symbols in the formula is as described in the specification). These compounds have a selective inhibitory effect on MMP-9 production, and are useful as agents for the prevention and/or treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), and osteoarthritis.本發明提供一種相較於抑制恆常型之MMP-2之產生而更抑制衍生型之MMPs、尤其是抑制MMP-9之產生的新穎低分子化合物。本發明係關於下式(I)：[式中之各符號如說明書所記載般]所表示之化合物，該等具有選擇性之抑制MMP-9產生之作用，作為類風濕性關節炎等自體免疫疾病、炎症性腸病(潰瘍性大腸炎、克隆氏病)、變形性關節病之預防及/或治療藥有用。
