Novel glucocorticoid and thyroid receptor ligands as provided which have the general formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon, an aromatic hydrocarbon, carboxylic acid or ester thereof, alkenyl carboxylic acid or ester thereof, hydroxy, halogen, or cyano, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different, and are hydrogen, halogen, alkyl of 1 to 4 carbons, or cycloalkyl of 3 to 5 carbons, at least one of R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 being other than hydrogen. X is carbonyl or methylene. R.sub.4 is an aliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic. Y is hydroxyl, methoxy, amino, or alkyl amino. n is an integer from 0 to 4. A method for treating diseases associated with metabolism dysfunction or which are dependent on the expression of a glucocorticoid or thyroid receptor gene such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, or obesity using these compounds is also disclosed.