The present invention pertains to compounds of the formula (1) which are, inter alia, antiproliferative agents, anticancer agents, antimycobacterial agents, antituberculosis agents, and/or thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase inhibitor: wherein: Q is .dbd.O or .dbd.N--S(.dbd.O).sub.2--R.sup.Q;R.sup.Q is --II or optionally substituted C.sub.1-7alkyl, C.sub.3-20heterocyclyl, or C.sub.5-20aryl; Ar is optionally substituted C.sub.5-20aryl; R.sup.O is an oxy substituent; the bond marked .alpha. is a single bond or a double bond; the bond marked .beta. is a single bond or a double bond; R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 are each independently ring substituents; R.sup.2 and R.sup.6 are each independently ring substituents; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, amides, solvates, hydrates, and protected forms thereof. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, for example, in the treatment of proliferative conditions, (e.g., cancer), mycobacterial infections (e.g., tuberculosis), and/or conditions mediated by thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase ##STR00001##