A class of novel non-steroidal compounds are provided which are useful in treating diseases associated with modulation of the glucocorticoid receptor, AP-1, and/or NF-.kappa.B activity including obesity, diabetes, inflammatory and immune diseases, and have the structure of formula (I) ##STR00001## its stereoisomers thereof, or a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where Z is CONR.sup.1R.sup.2 or CH.sup.2NR.sup.1R.sup.2 and where at least two of X.sub.1-X.sub.4 and/or X.sub.5-X.sub.8 is N or NR.sup.18, and R, R.sup.a, R.sup.b, R.sup.c, R.sup.d, R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.18 are defined herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treating obesity, diabetes and inflammatory or immune associated diseases comprising said compounds.