Compounds represented by the formula 1: wherein each R individually is H, an aliphatic acyl group or an aromatic acyl group; A is selected from the group consisting of wherein X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halo, alkoxy, alkyl, haloalkyl, alkenyl, haloalkenyl, alkynyl, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, cyano and nitro; are used to treat or prevent arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis.