A benzophenone derivative represented by the following formula: wherein R<1> represents, for example, an optionally substituted heterocyclic group, or a substituted phenyl group Z represents, for example, an alkylene group R<2> represents, for example, a carboxyl group optionally protected with alkyl R<3> represents, for example, an optionally protected hydroxyl group R<4> represents, for example, an optionally substituted cycloalkyloxy group and R<5> represents, for example, a hydrogen atom, or a salt thereof has anti-arthritic activity, inhibits bone destruction caused by arthritis, and provides high safety and excellent pharmacokinetics and thus is useful as therapeutic agent for arthritis. These compounds have inhibitory effect on AP-1 activity and are useful as preventive or therapeutic agent for diseases in which excessive expression of AP-1 is involved.
