This invention relates to novel compounds of a structural formula selected from: pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11&bgr;-HSD1 in mammals, e.g., diabetes mellitus and obesity. Values for the variables in the structural formulas are provided herein. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to cortisol in a cell.