A 4H-1-benzopyran-4-one derivative of general formula [1], or a salt thereof exerts excellent effects of immunomodulation and cell adhesion inhibition, and is further expected to have the effect of relieving autoimmune diseases at a level comparable to that of steroids. Thus the compound of general formula [1] is useful in the treatment and prevention of autoimmune diseases fundamentally caused by immunopathy or abnormally accelerated cell adhesion, for example, chronic rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, sclerema, mixed connective tissue disease, polyarteritis nodosa, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, Sjögren's syndrome, Behcet's disease, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diabetes, Hashimoto's disease, psoriasis, primary myxedema, pernicious anemia, serious adynamia, ulcerative colitis, chronic active hepatitis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.