METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR USING SOLVATOCHROMIC DYES TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF HOMEOPATHIC POTENCIES
20190049473 ยท 2019-02-14
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
C09B23/102
CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
G01N33/94
PHYSICS
G01N21/31
PHYSICS
G01N21/6428
PHYSICS
International classification
G01N33/94
PHYSICS
Abstract
A method is provided for obtaining a characteristic of a homeopathic preparation, particularly its potency. In particular aspects, solvatochromic dyes may be used for detection of a homeopathic preparation.
Claims
1. A method of quantifying a homeopathic potency effect, comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a sample solution by adding a homeopathic potency solution to a dye solution comprising a polar and polarizable molecule in a solvent; b) obtaining a reference solution comprising an equivalent amount of the dye solution of step a); c) obtaining a spectrum of the sample solution; d) obtaining a spectrum of the reference solution; e) obtaining a difference spectrum, wherein the difference spectrum is the difference between the sample solution spectrum and the reference solution spectrum; and f) quantifying the potency effect of the homeopathic potency solution by identifying a maximum value of the difference spectrum.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the homeopathic potency solution has been prepared by a serial dilution of between 100.sup.6 to 100.sup.100000.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the homeopathic potency solution has been prepared by a serial dilution of more than 100.sup.200.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the homeopathic potency solution has been prepared by a serial dilution of up to 100.sup.50,000.
5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the polar and polarizabale molecule is a negatively solvatochromic dye.
6. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the polar and polarizabale molecule is a positively solvatochromic dye.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein the negatively solvatochromic dye is ET33, ET30, or BM.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the positively solvatochromic dye is BDN, BDF, NR, or PB.
9. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule is a halochromic dye.
10. The method of claim 8.1, wherein the halochromic dye is 6-amino-2-naphthoic acid (6-ANA) or 6-amino-2-anthracenic acid (6-AAA).
11. The method of any of claims 1-8, wherein the solvent is an ionic solvent or a non-ionic solvent.
12. The method of any of claims 1-9, wherein the dye solution has a polar and polarizable molecule concentration of from 10 M to 250 M.
13. The method of any of claims 1-10, wherein the dye solution has a polar and polarizable molecule concentration that gives absorbance of c. 1.0 at its absorbance maxima.
14. The method of any of claims 1-11, wherein the reference solution spectrum is a control.
15. The method of any of claims 1-12, wherein the measuring step comprises obtaining a plurality of sample solution and reference solution spectra at time intervals for up to 20 days.
16. The method of any of claims 1-12, wherein the measuring step comprises obtaining a plurality of sample solution and reference solution spectra at time intervals for up to 24 hours.
17. The method of any of claims 1-14, wherein the time interval may range from one minute to one hour.
18. The method of any of claims 1-15, wherein the step of obtaining a spectrum comprises measuring an absorbance spectrum.
19. The method of any of claims 1-16, wherein the step of obtaining a spectrum comprises measuring a fluorescence spectrum.
20. The method of any of claims 1-17, wherein the sample solution has a volume of about 300 L to 3 mL.
21. The method of any of claims 1-16, wherein the measuring comprises the use of a spectrophotometer.
22. The method of any of claims 1-19, wherein the sample solution is kept in a quartz or glass cuvette during measuring.
23. The method of any of claims 1-20, wherein the maximum value of the difference spectrum comprises the maximum of all difference spectra obtained over all time interval measurements.
24. The method of any of claims 1-21, wherein a plot of the maximum of each difference spectrum vs. time is employed to determine a maximum rate of change of difference spectra.
25. The method of any of claims 1-6 or 9-22, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule is a molecule having conjugated -electron system through which negative charge may be delocalized.
26. The method of any of claims 1-6 or 9-22, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule is a molecule having electron donor and acceptor moieties linked through an electron delocalized system in which the compound's dipole moment in the electronic ground state is considerably different from that in the excited state.
27. The method of any of claims 1-6 or 9-22, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule is a dye selected from the group consisting of ET30, ET33, BM, BDF, BDN, PB, NR, DCM, PRODAN, DCVJ, phenol blue, a stilbazolium dye, a coumarin dye, a ketocyanine dye, analogs of Reichardt's dye, merocyanine dyes, or NDMNA.
28. The method of any of claims 1-23, wherein the solvent further comprises a buffer.
29. The method of claim 24, wherein the buffer is sodium borate/boric acid buffer, disodium citrate/trisodium citrate buffer, monopotassium phosphate/dipotassium phosphate buffer, Dimethylarsinic acid (cacodylic acid) buffer, veronal-acetate buffer, s-Collidine buffer, 3-[N-Tris(hydroxymethyl)methylamino]-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (TAPSO) buffer, 2-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazin-1-yl]ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer, 2-[[1,3-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)propan-2-yl]amino]ethanesulfonic acid (TES) buffer, 3-Morpholinopropane-1-sulfonic acid (MOPS) buffer, 1,4-Piperazinediethanesulfonic acid (PIPES) buffer, or 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES) buffer.
30. The method of any of claims 1-25, wherein the homeopathic potency solution, polar and polarizable molecule solution, reference solution, or sample solution are prepared in the absence of light.
31. The method of any of claims 1-26, wherein the homeopathic potency solution, polar and polarizable molecule solution, reference solution, or sample solution are kept in the absence of light from preparation time until a time of spectral determination.
32. The method of any of claim 26 or 27, wherein the light is light with a wavelength of greater than 350 nm.
33. The method of any of claims 1-28, wherein the homeopathic potency solution, polar and polarizable molecule solution, reference solution, or sample solution are incubated for a period of up to 20 days prior to a spectral determination thereof.
34. The method of claim 9, wherein the ionic solvent is 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate.
35. The method of claim 9, wherein the non-ionic solvent is water, ethanol, tert-butyl alcohol, or a combination thereof.
36. The method of any of claims 1-4 or 9-31, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule comprises a compound of the structure ##STR00003## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, R.sub.11, R.sub.12, R.sub.13, R.sub.14, R.sub.15, and R.sub.16 are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, haloalky, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, nitro, mercapto, cyano, silyl, alkylsilyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, alkylamino, alkenylamino, alkynylamino, arylamino, amido, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, and arylthio.
37. The method of any of claims 1-4 or 9-31, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule comprises a compound of the structure ##STR00004## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, R.sub.9, R.sub.10, and R.sub.11 are each independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, haloalky, hydroxyl, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, amino, nitro, mercapto, cyano, silyl, alkylsilyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, alkylamino, alkenylamino, alkynylamino, arylamino, amido, alkylthio, alkenylthio, alkynylthio, and arylthio.
38. The method of any of claims 1-33, wherein the maximum value of the difference spectrum correlates with a dipole moment of the polar and polarizable molecule.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The following drawings form part of the present specification and are included to further demonstrate certain aspects of the present invention. The invention may be better understood by reference to one or more of these drawings in combination with the detailed description of specific embodiments presented herein.
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DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
I. Introduction
[0041] A plausible and testable hypothesis for the mode of action of homeopathy and, by implication, an understanding of the physico-chemical nature of homeopathic potencies, would profoundly enhance homeopathy, both as an area of legitimate scientific study and as an effective medical approach. Research at the molecular level has the advantage over other approaches in that it can ask the kinds of searching and detailed questions necessary to arrive at fully testable hypotheses as to the modus operandi of homeopathy.
[0042] With this view in mind a program of investigation aimed at developing well-defined chemical systems capable of detecting consistent and replicable effects of serially diluted and agitated solutions was initiated. Specifically, a simple chemical system utilizing environment-sensitive polar and polarizable molecules has been developed. Polar and polarizable molecules are sensitive to, and can be used to follow, a range of solution dynamics through changes in their absorbance spectra which may occur in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.
[0043] The system described below demonstrates not only that homeopathic potencies have in vitro effects which can be measured, but also because the system is both simple and versatile, very specific questions can be asked about what molecular effects potencies are having in solution and what their ultimate nature might be.
[0044] Whilst a range of chemical and physical systems have been employed in the past in the study of homeopathic medicines, including UV-spectroscopy (Wolf, et al., 2011), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (Aabel, et al., 2001), thermoluminescence (Rey, 2003), high voltage plasma visualisation (Assumpcao, 2008), solution conductivity (Elia, et al., 2004) and micro-calorimetry (Belon, et al., 2008), together with theoretical studies (Bell, 2008), little consensus has emerged as to the nature of the homeopathic stimulus. Results suggest potencies may be electromagnetic in nature (Montagnier, 2009), or that they may involve and exploit the intrinsic ability of water to form complex hydrogen bonding networks (Yin Lo, et al., 2009). They may have their origins in quantum electrodynamics (Marchettini, et al., 2010), quantum entanglement (Milgrom, 2006), complexity theory (Bellavite, 2003) or stochastic resonance (Torres, 1996).
[0045] The present approach has grown out of a recognition that a number of criteria need to be fulfilled if homeopathic potencies are to be studied in a way that provides results that are (i) significantly above background noise and (ii) allows the development of systems that can be manipulated to reveal the effect of one variable at a time. The criteria are essentially two-fold. The first involves the stability of homeopathic potencies. The destruction of potencies is important if one is to avoid cross-contamination where glassware and other container materials are re-used. For this reason the current study has employed disposable containers in situations where cross-contamination is a potential problem.
[0046] The second group of criteria revolves around the issue of the control of variables. Ideally, any detection system should be one in which the variables involved can be addressed individually. In this way, specific questions can be asked and specific answers obtained. A well-defined and simple detection system is therefore highly desirable, especially if the system is capable of providing different types of information.
[0047] With these criteria in mind, a detection system involving polar and polarizable molecules has been developed. In brief, changes have been found to occur in the absorbance spectra of these molecules in the presence of homeopathic potencies. In turn it has then been possible to make certain inferences as to the specific action of potencies in a solution.
[0048] A system in which homeopathic a potency is added to a solution of a polar and polarizable molecule is simple, versatile, and involves a very small number of components and operational steps. In addition, the system is sensitive to changes in a wide range of solution dynamics including solvent polarity, solvent pH, solvent-solute binding patterns, and supramolecular interactions between solute molecules.
II. Homeopathic Potency
[0049] In some embodiments, the method is used to detect, measure or quantify a homeopathic potency or obtain a characteristic of a homeopathic solution.
[0050] In homeopathy, homeopathic dilution (known by practitioners as dynamisation or potentisation) is a process in which a substance is diluted with alcohol or distilled water and then vigorously shaken in a process called succussion. For example, insoluble solids, such as quartz and oyster shell, may be diluted by grinding them with lactose (trituration).
[0051] Several potency scales are in use in homeopathy. The centesimal or C scale dilutes a substance by a factor of 100 at each stage. A 2C dilution requires a substance to be diluted to one part in one hundred, and then some of that diluted solution diluted by a further factor of one hundred. This works out to one part of the original substance in 10,000 parts of the solution. A 6C dilution repeats this process six times, ending up with the original material diluted by a factor of 100.sup.6=10.sup.12. Higher dilutions follow the same pattern. In homeopathy, a solution that is more dilute is described as having a higher potency, and more dilute substances are considered by homeopaths to be stronger and deeper-acting. The end product is often so diluted that it is indistinguishable from the diluent (pure water, sugar or alcohol). The greatest dilution that is reasonably likely to contain one molecule of the original substance is 12C, if starting from 1 mole of original substance.
[0052] There is too the continued flow mode of dilution that is measured on mass flow controller (MFC) based dilution systems.
[0053] Some homeopaths developed a decimal scale (D or X), diluting the substance to ten times its original volume each stage. The D or X scale dilution is therefore half that of the same value of the C scale; for example, 12X is the same level of dilution as 6C. In other examples, there is a quintamillesimal (Q) or LM scale, diluting the drug 1 part in 50,000 parts of diluent.[9] A given dilution on the Q scale is roughly 2.35 times its designation on the C scale. For example a preparation described as 20Q has about the same concentration as one described with 47C g.
[0054] Potencies of 1000c and above are usually labelled with Roman numeral M and with the centesimal c indicator implied (since all such high potencies are centesimal dilutions): 1M=1000c; 10M=10,000c; CM=100,000c; LM (which would indicate 50,000c) is typically not used due to confusion with the LM potency scale.
[0055] In certain aspects, the methods may involve the characterization of certain homeopathic medicines. Many remedies at different potencies have been investigated during the course of the present study and the results obtained are broadly comparable to the results presented in Example 1.
III. Solvatochromic Dyes
[0056] In certain aspects, a solvatochromic dye may be employed as a polar and polarizable molecule, for example, in detecting, measuring, and/or quantifying homeopathic potency.
[0057] Solvatochromic dyes, or solvatochromic compounds, include compounds having spectroscopic characteristics (e.g., absorption, emission, fluorescence, phosphorescence) in the ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared spectrum that are influenced by the surrounding medium. Examples of solvatochromic dyes suitable for use with the disclosed methods include any known solvatochromic dyes. Solvatochromic dyes have been extensively reviewed in, for example, Reichardt, Chemical Reviews, 94:2319-2358 (1994); Reichardt et al. Pure and Applied Chemistry 65(12):2593-601 (1993); and Buncel and Rajagopal, Accounts of Chemical Research, 23(7):226-31 (1990), all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0058] Characteristics of solvatochromic compounds include positive or negative solvatochromism, which corresponds to the bathochromic and hypsochromic shifts, respectively of the emission band with increasing solvent polarity. In addition to the solvent-induced spectral shifts of absorbance peaks, some compounds exhibit the solvent-dependent fluorescence emission peaks. Examples of such solvatochromic compounds include Nile Red and Brooker's merocyanine.
[0059] Solvatochromic dyes can be characterized by possessing an electron donating group and an electron accepting group with an electron delocalized system in-between (Reichardt, et al., 2008). For negatively solvatochromic dyes the ground or resting state is zwitterionic with a formal charge at either end of the molecule. On absorption of light an electron travels from one end of the molecule to the other to form an excited polar, but uncharged, state (
[0060] Negatively solvatochromic dyes absorb at longer and longer wavelengths (bathochromically shifted) as solvent polarity decreases. For example ET30 (
[0061] Conversely, positively solvatochromic dyes absorb at shorter and shorter wavelengths (hypsochromically shifted) as solvent polarity decreases. For example BDN (
[0062] Dyes ET33 (2,6-dichloro-4-(2,4,6-triphenyl-N-pyridino)-phenolate), ET30 ((2,4,6-triphenyl-1-pyridinio)-1-phenolate) and BM (Brooker's merocyanine) produce J-aggregates in solution; dyes BDN, BDF, NR, and PB produce H-aggregates (Balzani, et al., 2014).
[0063] In addition, dyes ET30, ET33 BDF, and BDN bind divalent cations (Reichardt, 1992) to produce optical changes which can also be utilized to demonstrate effects of homeopathic potencies.
[0064] Additional examples of solvatochromic compounds include, but are not limited to 4-dicyanmethylene-2-methyl-6-(p-dimethylaminostyryl)-4H-pyran (DCM); 6-propionyl-2-(dimethylamino)naphthalene (PRODAN); 4-(dicyanovinyl)julolidine (DCVJ); stilbazolium dyes; coumarin dyes; ketocyanine dyes; analogs of Reichardt's dyes; merocyanine dyes, including merocyanine 540; N,N-dimethyl-4-nitroaniline (NDMNA) and the like. Other solvatochromic dyes include, but are not limited to all compounds having electron donor and acceptor moieties linked through an electron delocalized system in which the dipole moment in the electronic ground state is considerably different from that in the excited state.
IV. Halochromic Dyes
[0065] In certain aspects, a halochromic dye may be employed as a polar and polarizable molecule, for example, in detecting, measuring, and/or quantifying homeopathic potency.
[0066] Halochromic dyes change color as the pH of the solvent in which they are dissolved or mixed changes. In some aspects, the molecular structure of a halochromic dye changes in response to a change in pH, as in the case of phenolphthalein. pH indicator molecules may be utilized to demonstrate the effects of homeopathic potencies.
[0067] As used herein, the term amino means NH.sub.2; the term nitro means NO.sub.2; the term halo or halogen designates F, Cl, Br or I; the term mercapto means SH; the term cyano means CN; the term azido means N.sub.3; the term silyl means SiH.sub.3, and the term hydroxy means OH. In certain embodiments, a halogen may be Br or I.
[0068] The term alkyl includes straight-chain alkyl, branched-chain alkyl, cycloalkyl (alicyclic), cyclic alkyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkyl, heteroatom-substituted alkyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkyl, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkyl. In certain embodiments, lower alkyls are contemplated. The term lower alkyl refers to alkyls of 1-6 carbon atoms (that is, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms). The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkyl refers to a radical, having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, further having a total of n carbon atoms, all of which are nonaromatic, 3 or more hydrogen atoms, and no heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-alkyl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The groups, CH.sub.3 (Me), CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 (Et), CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 (n-Pr), CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2(iso-Pr), CH(CH.sub.2).sub.2(cyclopropyl), CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 (n-Bu), CH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CH.sub.3 (sec-butyl), CH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2(iso-butyl), C(CH.sub.3).sub.3(tert-butyl), CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3(neo-pentyl), cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl, are all non-limiting examples of heteroatom-unsubstituted alkyl groups. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkyl refers to a radical, having a single saturated carbon atom as the point of attachment, no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, all of which are nonaromatic, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, at least one heteroatom, wherein each heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-alkyl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The following groups are all non-limiting examples of heteroatom-substituted alkyl groups: trifluoromethyl, CH.sub.2F, CH.sub.2Cl, CH.sub.2Br, CH.sub.2OH, CH.sub.2OCH.sub.3, CH.sub.2OCH.sub.2CF.sub.3, CH.sub.2OC(O)CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2NH.sub.2, CH.sub.2NHCH.sub.3, CH.sub.2N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2Cl, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OH, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2OC(O)CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NHCO.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, and CH.sub.2Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3.
[0069] The term alkenyl includes straight-chain alkenyl, branched-chain alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, cyclic alkenyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkenyl, heteroatom-substituted alkenyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyl. In certain embodiments, lower alkenyls are contemplated. The term lower alkenyl refers to alkenyls of 1-6 carbon atoms (that is, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms). The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyl refers to a radical, having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon double bond, but no carbon-carbon triple bonds, a total of n carbon atoms, three or more hydrogen atoms, and no heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-alkenyl has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Heteroatom-unsubstituted alkenyl groups include: CHCH.sub.2 (vinyl), CHCHCH.sub.3, CHCHCH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2CHCH.sub.2 (allyl), CH.sub.2CHCHCH.sub.3, and CHCHC.sub.6H.sub.5. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyl refers to a radical, having a single nonaromatic carbon atom as the point of attachment and at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon double bond, but no carbon-carbon triple bonds, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, and at least one heteroatom, wherein each heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-alkenyl has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The groups, CHCHF, CHCHCl and CHCHBr, are non-limiting examples of heteroatom-substituted alkenyl groups.
[0070] The term aryl includes heteroatom-unsubstituted aryl, heteroatom-substituted aryl, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryl, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic aryl groups, carbocyclic aryl groups, biaryl groups, and single-valent radicals derived from polycyclic fused hydrocarbons (PAHs). The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryl refers to a radical, having a single carbon atom as a point of attachment, wherein the carbon atom is part of an aromatic ring structure containing only carbon atoms, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 5 or more hydrogen atoms, and no heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.6-C.sub.10-aryl has 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of heteroatom-unsubstituted aryl groups include phenyl (Ph), methylphenyl, (dimethyl)phenyl, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH(CH.sub.2).sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.3(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CHCH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4CHCHCH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CCH, C.sub.6H.sub.4CCCH.sub.3, naphthyl, and the radical derived from biphenyl. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryl refers to a radical, having either a single aromatic carbon atom or a single aromatic heteroatom as the point of attachment, further having a total of n carbon atoms, at least one hydrogen atom, and at least one heteroatom, further wherein each heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-heteroaryl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of heteroatom-substituted aryl groups include the groups: C.sub.6H.sub.4F, C.sub.6H.sub.4Cl, C.sub.6H.sub.4Br, C.sub.6H.sub.4I, C.sub.6H.sub.4OH, C.sub.6H.sub.4OCH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4OCH.sub.2CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4OC(O)CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4NH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4NHCH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2OH, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2OC(O)CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2NH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4CF.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CN, C.sub.6H.sub.4CHO, C.sub.6H.sub.4CHO, C.sub.6H.sub.4C(O)CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.5, C.sub.6H.sub.4CO.sub.2H, C.sub.6H.sub.4CO.sub.2CH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CONH.sub.2, C.sub.6H.sub.4CONHCH.sub.3, C.sub.6H.sub.4CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2, furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazinyl, quinolyl, indolyl, and imidazoyl. In certain embodiments, heteroatom-substituted aryl groups are contemplated. In certain embodiments, heteroatom-unsubstituted aryl groups are contemplate. In certain embodiments, an aryl group may be mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- or penta-substituted with one or more heteroatom-containing substitutents.
[0071] The term aralkyl includes heteroatom-unsubstituted aralkyl, heteroatom-substituted aralkyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, heteroaralkyl, and heterocyclic aralkyl groups. In certain embodiments, lower aralkyls are contemplated. The term lower aralkyl refers to aralkyls of 7-12 carbon atoms (that is, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 carbon atoms). The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyl refers to a radical, having a single saturated carbon atom as the point of attachment, further having a total of n carbon atoms, wherein at least 6 of the carbon atoms form an aromatic ring structure containing only carbon atoms, 7 or more hydrogen atoms, and no heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.7-C.sub.10-aralkyl has 7 to 10 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of heteroatom-unsubstituted aralkyls are: phenylmethyl (benzyl, Bn) and phenylethyl. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyl refers to a radical, having a single saturated carbon atom as the point of attachment, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, and at least one heteroatom, wherein at least one of the carbon atoms is incorporated an aromatic ring structures, further wherein each heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-heteroaralkyl has 2 to 10 carbon atoms.
[0072] The term acyl includes straight-chain acyl, branched-chain acyl, cycloacyl, cyclic acyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted acyl, heteroatom-substituted acyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyl, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl and aminocarbonyl groups. In certain embodiments, lower acyls are contemplated. The term lower acyl refers to acyls of 1-6 carbon atoms (that is, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms). The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyl refers to a radical, having a single carbon atom of a carbonyl group as the point of attachment, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 1 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of one oxygen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-acyl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The groups, CHO, C(O)CH.sub.3, C(O)CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, C(O)CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, C(O)CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, C(O)CH(CH.sub.2).sub.2, C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.5, C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.3, C(O)C.sub.6H.sub.4CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, and COC.sub.6H.sub.3(CH.sub.3).sub.2, are non-limiting examples of heteroatom-unsubstituted acyl groups. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acyl refers to a radical, having a single carbon atom as the point of attachment, the carbon atom being part of a carbonyl group, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, at least one additional heteroatom, in addition to the oxygen of the carbonyl group, wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-acyl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The groups, C(O)CH.sub.2CF.sub.3, CO.sub.2H, CO.sub.2, CO.sub.2CH.sub.3, CO.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CO.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CO.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, CO.sub.2CH(CH.sub.2).sub.2, C(O)NH.sub.2 (carbamoyl), C(O)NHCH.sub.3, C(O)NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.3, CONHCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, CONHCH(CH.sub.2).sub.2, CON(CH.sub.3).sub.2, and CONHCH.sub.2CF.sub.3, are non-limiting examples of heteroatom-substituted acyl groups.
[0073] The term alkoxy includes straight-chain alkoxy, branched-chain alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, cyclic alkoxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkoxy, heteroatom-substituted alkoxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkoxy, and heteroatom-substituted C-alkoxy. In certain embodiments, lower alkoxys are contemplated. The term lower alkoxy refers to alkoxys of 1-6 carbon atoms (that is, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 carbon atoms). The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkoxy refers to a group, having the structure OR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkyl, as that term is defined above. Heteroatom-unsubstituted alkoxy groups include: OCH.sub.3, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.3, OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, OCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, and OCH(CH.sub.2).sub.2. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkoxy refers to a group, having the structure OR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkyl, as that term is defined above. For example, OCH.sub.2CF.sub.3 is a heteroatom-substituted alkoxy group.
[0074] The term alkenyloxy includes straight-chain alkenyloxy, branched-chain alkenyloxy, cycloalkenyloxy, cyclic alkenyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkenyloxy, heteroatom-substituted alkenyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyloxy, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyloxy. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, as that term is defined above.
[0075] The term alkynyloxy includes straight-chain alkynyloxy, branched-chain alkynyloxy, cycloalkynyloxy, cyclic alkynyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkynyloxy, heteroatom-substituted alkynyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynyloxy, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynyloxy. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynyl, as that term is defined above.
[0076] The term aryloxy includes heteroatom-unsubstituted aryloxy, heteroatom-substituted aryloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryloxy, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, and heterocyclic aryloxy groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryloxy refers to a group, having the structure OAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryl, as that term is defined above. A non-limiting example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted aryloxy group is OC.sub.6H.sub.5. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryloxy refers to a group, having the structure OAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryl, as that term is defined above.
[0077] The term aralkyloxy includes heteroatom-unsubstituted aralkyloxy, heteroatom-substituted aralkyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyloxy, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyloxy, heteroaralkyloxy, and heterocyclic aralkyloxy groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, as that term is defined above.
[0078] The term acyloxy includes straight-chain acyloxy, branched-chain acyloxy, cycloacyloxy, cyclic acyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted acyloxy, heteroatom-substituted acyloxy, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyloxy, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acyloxy, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, and carboxylate groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OAc, in which Ac is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyl, as that term is defined above. For example, OC(O)CH.sub.3 is a non-limiting example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted acyloxy group. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acyloxy refers to a group, having the structure OAc, in which Ac is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acyl, as that term is defined above. For example, OC(O)OCH.sub.3 and OC(O)NHCH.sub.3 are non-limiting examples of heteroatom-unsubstituted acyloxy groups.
[0079] The term alkylamino includes straight-chain alkylamino, branched-chain alkylamino, cycloalkylamino, cyclic alkylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkylamino, heteroatom-substituted alkylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylamino, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylamino. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having one or two saturated carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, containing a total of n carbon atoms, all of which are nonaromatic, 4 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of 1 nitrogen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-alkylamino has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkyl, as that term is defined above. A heteroatom-unsubstituted alkylamino group would include NHCH.sub.3, NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.3, NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, NHCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, NHCH(CH.sub.2).sub.2, NHCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, NHCH(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, NHCH.sub.2CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, NHC(CH.sub.3).sub.3, N(CH.sub.3).sub.2, N(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2CH.sub.3, N(CH.sub.2CH.sub.3).sub.2, N-pyrrolidinyl, and N-piperidinyl. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having one or two saturated carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, all of which are nonaromatic, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, and at least one additional heteroatom, that is, in addition to the nitrogen atom at the point of attachment, wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-alkylamino has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkyl, as that term is defined above.
[0080] The term alkenylamino includes straight-chain alkenylamino, branched-chain alkenylamino, cycloalkenylamino, cyclic alkenylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkenylamino, heteroatom-substituted alkenylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenylamino, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenylamino, dialkenylamino, and alkyl(alkenyl)amino groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having one or two carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, containing at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon double bond, a total of n carbon atoms, 4 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of one nitrogen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-alkenylamino has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment and at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon double bond, but no carbon-carbon triple bonds, further having one or two carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, and at least one additional heteroatom, that is, in addition to the nitrogen atom at the point of attachment, wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-alkenylamino has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, as that term is defined above.
[0081] The term alkynylamino includes straight-chain alkynylamino, branched-chain alkynylamino, cycloalkynylamino, cyclic alkynylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkynylamino, heteroatom-substituted alkynylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynylamino, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynylamino, dialkynylamino, alkyl(alkynyl)amino, and alkenyl(alkynyl)amino groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having one or two carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, containing at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, a total of n carbon atoms, at least one hydrogen atoms, a total of one nitrogen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-alkynylamino has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having one or two carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having at least one nonaromatic carbon-carbon triple bond, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, and further having a total of n carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, and at least one additional heteroatom, that is, in addition to the nitrogen atom at the point of attachment, wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.2-C.sub.10-alkynylamino has 2 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynyl, as that term is defined above.
[0082] The term arylamino includes heteroatom-unsubstituted arylamino, heteroatom-substituted arylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-arylamino, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-arylamino, heteroarylamino, heterocyclic arylamino, and alkyl(aryl)amino groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-arylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having at least one aromatic ring structure attached to the nitrogen atom, wherein the aromatic ring structure contains only carbon atoms, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 6 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of one nitrogen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.6-C.sub.10-arylamino has 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-arylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-arylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having a total of n carbon atoms, at least one hydrogen atom, at least one additional heteroatoms, that is, in addition to the nitrogen atom at the point of attachment, wherein at least one of the carbon atoms is incorporated into one or more aromatic ring structures, further wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.6-C.sub.10-arylamino has 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-arylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryl, as that term is defined above.
[0083] The term aralkylamino includes heteroatom-unsubstituted aralkylamino, heteroatom-substituted aralkylamino, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkylamino, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkylamino, heteroaralkylamino, heterocyclic aralkylamino groups, and diaralkylamino groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having one or two saturated carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having a total of n carbon atoms, wherein at least 6 of the carbon atoms form an aromatic ring structure containing only carbon atoms, 8 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of one nitrogen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.7-C.sub.10-aralkylamino has 7 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkylamino refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having at least one or two saturated carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, at least one additional heteroatom, that is, in addition to the nitrogen atom at the point of attachment, wherein at least one of the carbon atom incorporated into an aromatic ring, further wherein each heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.7-C.sub.10-aralkylamino has 7 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkylamino includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, as that term is defined above.
[0084] The term amido includes straight-chain amido, branched-chain amido, cycloamido, cyclic amido, heteroatom-unsubstituted amido, heteroatom-substituted amido, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-amido, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-amido, alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, aryloxycarbonylamino, acylamino, alkylaminocarbonylamino, arylaminocarbonylamino, and ureido groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-amido refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having a carbonyl group attached via its carbon atom to the nitrogen atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, 1 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of one oxygen atom, a total of one nitrogen atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-amido has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-amido includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyl, as that term is defined above. The group, NHC(O)CH.sub.3, is a non-limiting example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted amido group. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-amido refers to a radical, having a single nitrogen atom as the point of attachment, further having a carbonyl group attached via its carbon atom to the nitrogen atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n aromatic or nonaromatic carbon atoms, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, at least one additional heteroatom in addition to the oxygen of the carbonyl group, wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-amido has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-amido includes groups, having the structure NHR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyl, as that term is defined above. The group, NHCO.sub.2CH.sub.3, is a non-limiting example of a heteroatom-substituted amido group.
[0085] The term alkylthio includes straight-chain alkylthio, branched-chain alkylthio, cycloalkylthio, cyclic alkylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkylthio, heteroatom-substituted alkylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylthio, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylthio. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylthio refers to a group, having the structure SR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkyl, as that term is defined above. The group, SCH.sub.3, is an example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted alkylthio group. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylthio refers to a group, having the structure SR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkyl, as that term is defined above.
[0086] The term alkenylthio includes straight-chain alkenylthio, branched-chain alkenylthio, cycloalkenylthio, cyclic alkenylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkenylthio, heteroatom-substituted alkenylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenylthio, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenylthio. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenylthio refers to a group, having the structure SR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenylthio refers to a group, having the structure SR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkenyl, as that term is defined above.
[0087] The term alkynylthio includes straight-chain alkynylthio, branched-chain alkynylthio, cycloalkynylthio, cyclic alkynylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkynylthio, heteroatom-substituted alkynylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynylthio, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynylthio. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynylthio refers to a group, having the structure SR, in which R is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkynyl, as that term is defined above. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynylthio refers to a group, having the structure SR, in which R is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkynyl, as that term is defined above.
[0088] The term arylthio includes heteroatom-unsubstituted arylthio, heteroatom-substituted arylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-arylthio, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-arylthio, heteroarylthio, and heterocyclic arylthio groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-arylthio refers to a group, having the structure SAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aryl, as that term is defined above. The group, SC.sub.6H.sub.5, is an example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted arylthio group. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-arylthio refers to a group, having the structure SAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aryl, as that term is defined above.
[0089] The term aralkylthio includes heteroatom-unsubstituted aralkylthio, heteroatom-substituted aralkylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkylthio, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkylthio, heteroaralkylthio, and heterocyclic aralkylthio groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkylthio refers to a group, having the structure SAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, as that term is defined above. The group, SCH.sub.2C.sub.6H.sub.5, is an example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted aralkyl group. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkylthio refers to a group, having the structure SAr, in which Ar is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-aralkyl, as that term is defined above.
[0090] The term acylthio includes straight-chain acylthio, branched-chain acylthio, cycloacylthio, cyclic acylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted acylthio, heteroatom-substituted acylthio, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acylthio, heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acylthio, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, and carboxylate groups. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acylthio refers to a group, having the structure SAc, in which Ac is a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-acyl, as that term is defined above. The group, SCOCH.sub.3, is an example of a heteroatom-unsubstituted acylthio group. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acylthio refers to a group, having the structure SAc, in which Ac is a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-acyl, as that term is defined above.
[0091] The term alkylsilyl includes straight-chain alkylsilyl, branched-chain alkylsilyl, cycloalkylsilyl, cyclic alkylsilyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted alkylsilyl, heteroatom-substituted alkylsilyl, heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylsilyl, and heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylsilyl. The term heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.n-alkylsilyl refers to a radical, having a single silicon atom as the point of attachment, further having one, two, or three saturated carbon atoms attached to the silicon atom, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, containing a total of n carbon atoms, all of which are nonaromatic, 5 or more hydrogen atoms, a total of 1 silicon atom, and no additional heteroatoms. For example, a heteroatom-unsubstituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-alkylsilyl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms. An alkylsilyl group includes dialkylamino groups. The groups, Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 and Si(CH.sub.3).sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.3, are non-limiting examples of heteroatom-unsubstituted alkylsilyl groups. The term heteroatom-substituted C.sub.n-alkylsilyl refers to a radical, having a single silicon atom as the point of attachment, further having at least one, two, or three saturated carbon atoms attached to the silicon atom, no carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, further having a linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic structure, further having a total of n carbon atoms, all of which are nonaromatic, 0, 1, or more than one hydrogen atom, and at least one additional heteroatom, that is, in addition to the silicon atom at the point of attachment, wherein each additional heteroatom is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, F, Cl, Br, I, Si, P, and S. For example, a heteroatom-substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.10-alkylsilyl has 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
V. Containers
[0092] In certain aspects, quartz or glass cuvettes may be used. In other aspects, single-use polystyrene (PS) and Brand UV (UV) cuvettes may be used. Although differences between controls and potency assays are smaller than those obtained with quartz cuvettes, this may be offset by using much higher potencies (50 M) than those used originally with quartz cuvettes (200).
VI. Solvents
[0093] In some embodiments, an appropriate solvent is used to dissolve a polar and polarizable molecule. One of ordinary skill in the art can choose an appropriate solvent without undue experimentation. The solvent may be an ionic solvent or a non-ionic solvent. A UV-visible spectra of the solution containing the polar and polarizable molecule in the solvent shows a change in absorbance, such as one or more of absorptions at wavelengths that is different from the solution of the polar and polarizable molecule in a solution containing a homeopathic solution (i.e. a color change), or different intensities at the same wavelength. Exemplary non-ionic solvents include, but are not limited to, water, ethanol, and tert-butyl alcohol. Exemplary ionic solvents include, but are not limited to 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride, tetrabutylphosphonium methanesulfonate, 1-butyl-4-methylpyridinium hexafluorophosphate, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide, and triethylsulfonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. In some aspects, the water may be distilled water, deionized water, or reverse osmosis water (ROW).
[0094] In certain aspects, water or non-aqueous solvents may be used in the methods described herein. In other aspects, it is contemplated that any organic solvents may be used.
VII. Detection Methods
[0095] Disclosed herein is a simple, optical sensor containing a polar and polarizable molecule for characterization of a homeopathic sample. The sensing mechanism of the sensor relies on the physicodynamic properties of the compound, which undergoes a color or fluorescence change in the presence of a homeopathic solution, as compared with a control without the homeopathic solution.
[0096] The disclosed method of detecting a homeopathic solution in a sample includes contacting the sample with a polar and polarizable molecule, wherein the polar and polarizable molecule undergoes a shift, continuous or in particular aspects, discontinuous, in spectral absorbance when in contact with the homeopathic solution in the sample as compared to the absorbance of the polar and polarizable molecule in a control solution without the addition of a homeopathic solution. The spectral absorbance and/or emission may be detected. A change in the spectral absorbance, for example relative to a control, indicates the presence of a homeopathic solution in the sample.
[0097] Thus, disclosed is a method of detecting a homeopathic solution in a sample. The method involves contacting the sample with a polar and polarizable molecule that undergoes a shift in spectral absorbance when in contact with the homeopathic solution in the sample.
[0098] Upon contact with the sample, optical responses, or spectral absorbance, can be detected, which in some examples are recorded. The optical response generated can be intensity changes, spectral shift, and time-dependent variations associated with the sensor elements upon exposure, for example to a sample or a reference fluid (such as methanol, ethanol, DMF, DCM, acetone, toluene, etc., as well as buffered aqueous solutions). In some examples, a light source, for example multicrhomatic light source is used as an excitation source for the polar and polarizable molecule. The light can be filtered by an excitation filter before reaching the sample. Spectral absorbance can be detected by any methods known in the art, for example using a spectrophotometer.
[0099] In some embodiments, the spectral absorbance is compared to a control. In some embodiments, controls for use in the disclosed methods include one or more values indicative of a known concentration of a homeopathic solution in a control sample, for example as a calibration curve. In some embodiments, controls for use in the disclosed methods include one or more values indicative of a known concentration of a homeopathic solution in a control sample, for example as a calibration curve. In some examples the control is one of more control samples with a known concentration of a homeopathic solution or values derived therefrom, for example as a calibration curve. In some embodiments, the control is a calibration curve.
[0100] In certain embodiments, the method comprises an optical absorption technique. Additionally or alternatively, the method comprises a fluorescent technique using a compound such as Nile Red or Brooker's merocyanine. In certain examples, the detection can include detection with a spectrophotometer in the ultraviolet visible wavelength range. In some examples, the detected spectral absorbance is used for quantification of a homeopathic solution in the sample. In some embodiments, the method further includes quantifying the amount of a homeopathic solution in the sample. A sensor may be used for the detection and quantification of a homeopathic solution in a sample.
[0101] Detection by one or more of the plurality of detection methods can provide an image of the substrate or a representation thereof. The image can be a photograph or digital image. A representation thereof can include a false-color image where features such as texture, depth, surface roughness, luminescence intensity, and the like, are represented by colors or other indicia.
[0102] A system for carrying out the methods disclosed herein can include an input element for receiving one or more images of a first detectable array or a representation thereof. The input element can be any element that is used to both create and receive an image or representation thereof, such as a photo-scanner, or an element that is used solely to receive a digital representation of an image, such as a computer, web browser, cloud-computing environment, and the like.
[0103] The system can also include a database comprising one or more images of a plurality of second detectable arrays or representations thereof. The database can be stored physically, such as a photograph album containing images, but is more commonly stored digitally. For example the database can be stored on one or more computers, computer servers, computer-readable storage devices, such as hard drives, USB drives, and the like, or in a cloud-computing environment.
[0104] The system can further include a comparison element for comparing the one or more images of the first detectable array or representation thereof to the one or more images of the plurality of second detectable arrays or representations thereof. The comparison element can be a simple physical element, such as one or more photograph albums comprising one or more images of a plurality of second detectable arrays or representations thereof for facilitating a visual comparison of the image of the first detectable array or representation thereof with the plurality of second detectable arrays or representations thereof.
[0105] In some embodiments, the comparison element may include software that performs a series of steps to recognize features, such as color, size, location, and the like, and patterns of such features, of the image of the first detectable array or representation thereof, and compares those features to the one or more images of the plurality of second detectable arrays or representations thereof. The software can be executed on any suitable device, including a computer, mobile computer, mobile or stationary telephone equipped with software-executing capabilities (e.g., smart-phone), tablet computer, wearable computer, and the like. The software can also be executed in whole or in part from a computer server or a cloud-computing environment, which need not be in the same location as the input element. Thus, the comparison element can compare the one or more images of the a homeopathic solution or representation thereof to the one or more images of the control solution or representations thereof by, for example, executing local software to perform this comparison or executing or causing to be executed software that is located in another location to perform this comparison.
[0106] In some cases, the comparison element and the database can be the same device, although this is not required unless otherwise specified. Also, the comparison element need not comprise software; the comparison element can also be, for example, a photograph album or physical representation that facilitates comparison of the one or more images of the sample solution or representation thereof to the one or more images of the control solution or representations thereof.
IV. EXAMPLES
[0107] The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the present disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Example 1
[0108] To date, nine different polar and polarizable molecules have been investigated, four positively solvatochromic, three negatively solvatochromic, and one halochromic.
[0109] Potencies of glycerol were chosen as the primary example of homeopathic remedy for assay. Glycerol is a low molecular weight compound that can be obtained at very high purity levels, is pharmacologically inactive in material doses and is fully miscible with both water and ethanol.
[0110] Results with dye ET33
[0111] The difference is minimal at t=0 but slowly reaches a maximum at 120 min (see
[0112] Support for this proposition comes from assays utilising divalent cations. Strontium ions interact with the phenoxide moiety of ET3325 (
[0113] Difference spectra of ET33 in tert-butyl alcohol with and without potency show a decrease at c.615 nm and an increase at c.490 nm (the absorbance peak of ET33 in tert-butyl alcohol is at 548 nm). As with assays in ethanol, glycerol 50 M appears to be causing enhanced disaggregation of dye. What these results in ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol show is that bulk water is not essential to manifest a potency effect. More specifically, as tert-butyl alcohol very poorly hydrogen bonds, it is likely that hydrogen bonding is not essential in order to manifest a potency effect.
[0114] Results with dye ET30. Difference spectra of ET30 (
[0115] Consistent with the results seen with ET33, glycerol 50 M also increases the rate of complexation of strontium ions with ET30, through enhanced disaggregation.
[0116] Results with dye BDN. Complementary evidence to that with ET33 and ET30 is seen with the positively solvatochromic dye BDN.
[0117] Divalent cations interact with BDN to produce a rise in absorbance at 615 nm and a decrease in absorbance at 484 nm. As with ET33 and ET30, this complexation has a second slower phase arising from rate-limiting disaggregation of dye. If potency is enhancing dye aggregation then one would expect potency to reduce the rate of increase in absorbance at 615 nm compared with that in the absence of potency. This is indeed what is seen.
[0118] Difference spectra of BDN in water, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol with glycerol 50 M all show increases at shorter wavelengths and decreases at longer wavelengths corresponding to enhanced dye aggregation, irrespective of solvent. Solvent does not therefore appear to be playing a direct part in the action of glycerol 50 M. Furthermore, if potency were acting on either ET33 or BDN through changes in solvent polarity or hydrogen bonding capabilities the dyes should not be affected in opposite ways. Both dyes tend to aggregate more strongly as solvent polarity decreases and disaggregate as solvent hydrogen bonding capability increases.
[0119] Results with other solvatochromic dyesFurther evidence of interactions between glycerol 50 M and solvatochromic dyes comes from experiments using the negatively solvatochromic dye BM and the positively solvatochromic dyes NR and PB (
[0120] The difference spectra of NR and PB with glycerol 50M in water, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol indicate potency promotes disaggregation of both dyes in water, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol. Table 1 lists the effects of glycerol 50M on the spectra of all the solvatochromic dyes examined in this study, giving the positions of maximum absorbance changes on addition of potency. It should be noted that for dyes ET30, ET33 and BM in water only single difference maxima are given. This is because all dyes absorb strongly and non-specifically below c. 400 nm, rendering accurate difference spectra beyond the capabilities of the instrument below this wavelength.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Table showing the positions of maximum absorbance changes (difference spectra) on addition of glycerol 50M to solvatochromic dyes used in this study in three different solvent systems (water, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol). Absorbance maxima for dyes in respective solvents are given in plain type whilst the positions of maximum absorbance change on addition of potency are given in italics. Solvent system Dye Water Ethanol Tert-butyl alcohol Negatively solvatochromic ET33 Absorbance maxima 409 nm (broad) Absorbance maxima 472 nm (broad) Absorbance maxima 548 nm (broad) Decrease at c.380-420 nm with potency Increase at 442 nm and decrease Increase at 490 nm and decrease at 542 nm with potency at 615 nm with potency ET30 Absorbance maxima 450 nm (broad) Absorbance maxima 550 nm (broad) Absorbance maxima 650 nm (broad) Decrease at c.450 nm with potency Increase at 450 nm and decrease Increase at 580 nm and decrease at at 580 nm with potency 715 nm with potency BM Absorbance maxima Absorbance maxima Absorbance maxima 380 nm (monomer) 400 nm (monomer) 402 nm (monomer) 442 nm (aggregate) 513 (aggregate) c.496 nm (minor peak) (aggregate) Increase at 450 nm with potency Decrease at 390 nm and increase 576 nm (aggregate) at 510 nm with potency Decrease at 404 nm and increase at 500 nm and 570 nm with potency Positively solvatochromic BDN Absorbance maxima Absorbance maxima Absorbance maxima 490 nm (aggregate) 484 nm (aggregate) 459 nm (aggregate) 614 nm (monomer) 564 nm (overlapping aggregate 537 nm (aggregate) Increase at 460 nm and and monomer peaks?) 609 nm (monomer) decrease at 620 nm with potency Increase at 480 nm and decrease Increase at 460 nm and 535 nm and at 615 nm with potency decrease at 620 nm with potency NR Absorbance maxima Absorbance maxima 550 nm (broad) Absorbance maxima 538 nm (broad) 530 nm (aggregate) Decrease at c.475 nm and increase Decrease at c.465 nm and increase 593 nm (monomer) at c.560-570 nm with potency at c.560 nm with potency Decrease at c.480 nm and increase at c.560 nm with potency PB Absorbance maxima 658 nm (broad) Absorbance maxima Absorbance maxima 601 nm (broad) Decrease at c.520 nm and increase 608 nm (broad) Decrease at c.520 nm increase at at c.670 nm with potency Decrease at c.540 nm and increase c.620-660 nm with potency at c.680 nm with potency
[0121] Table 2, in turn, gives a summary, derived from difference spectra, of the deduced supramolecular effects of glycerol 50 M on dyes ET30, ET33, BM, BDN, NR, PB tested in water, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Table showing the deduced effect of glycerol 50M on the supramolecular chemistry (enhanced aggregation or enhanced disaggregation) of all solvatochromic dyes used in this study Effect of glycerol 50M potency Dye Water Ethanol Tert-butyl alcohol Negatively solvatochromic ET33 Disaggregation Disaggregation Disaggregation ET30 Disaggregation Disaggregation Disaggregation BM Aggregation Aggregation Aggregation Positively solvatochromic BDN Aggregation Aggregation Aggregation NR Disaggregation Disaggregation Disaggregation PB Disaggregation Disaggregation Disaggregation
[0122] 6ANA (halochromic, and not solvatochromic) and MV exhibit significant responses to homeopathic potencies. Both of these compounds have substantial dipole moments. MV is >18D in its ground state and >22D in its excited state. Evidence indicates that the degree of response to homeopathic potencies correlates with dipole moment of the polar and polarizable molecule. Molecules with larger dipole moments may facilitate analysis of homeopathic potencies.
[0123] Materials and Methods
[0124] MaterialsPolar and polarizable molecules 2,6-Dichloro-4-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium-1-yl)-phenolate (ET33), 2,6-Diphenyl-4-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium-1-yl)-phenolate (ET30), N,Ndimethylindoaniline/Phenol Blue (PB), 9-diethylamino-5H-benzo[a]phenoxazime-5-one/Nile Red (NR) and 4-(Bis-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)methylene)-1(4H)-naphthalenone (BDN), all solvatochromic, were obtained from Sigma Aldrich UK and used as provided. 4-[(E)-2-(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)ethenyl]phenolate/Brooker's merocyanine (BM, solvatochromic) was synthesised and provided by Innovapharm Ltd., Kiev, Ukraine and its structure and purity confirmed by NMR. BDF (solvatochromic) was a gift from Dr. Ana Costero, Institutio Interuniversitario de Reconocimiento Molecular y Desarrollo Tecnologico, Spain. Nonsolvatochromic dyes Patent Blue VF, Green S, Cresol Red and Sulforhodamine 101 were obtained from Sigma Aldrich or Fisher Scientific, UK. Strontium chloride, citric acid, sodium phosphate and sodium borate, used to make buffer solutions between pH 4 and 10, as well as ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol were obtained from Sigma Aldrich, UK unless specified otherwise and were of the highest purity available.
[0125] Reverse osmosis water (ROW) was used throughout this study and had a resistivity of 15 M cm (checked daily).
[0126] Disposable high purity optical PS cuvettes 1.5 ml and 4.5 ml capacity/10 mm pathlength with polyethylene (PE) air-tight stoppers were obtained from Elkay Laboratory Products, UK. Disposable high purity UV 1.5 ml and 4.5 ml capacity/10 mm pathlength cuvettes (UV) with PE air-tight stoppers were obtained from Brand GMBH, Germany. High purity/low leachable trace element Nalgene PE, and fluorinated ethylenepropylene (FEP) bottles were obtained from Fisher Scientific, UK.
[0127] Solution storageAll solutions were made up and stored in FEP or PE bottles. Ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol were used from the bottles in which they were provided or transferred to PE bottles. Concentrated dye stocks in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) or dye solutions in ROW, ethanol or tert-butyl alcohol were stored in FEP or PE bottles at room temperature. Working dye solutions were made by dissolving dye directly into solvent (ROW, ethanol or tert-butyl alcohol) or by adding an aliquot of concentrated dye stock in DMSO to solvent. In both cases dye solutions were left to equilibrate overnight before use. Concentrations of dyes used for difference spectra and assays with strontium ions were as follows: ET33245 M in ROW, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol; ET30245 M in ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol. ET30 is poorly soluble in ROW. Solutions were made up in 20 mM borate buffer pH 10 and centrifuged to remove any precipitate; BDN80 M in ROW, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol. BDN slowly precipitates in ROW, so solutions were made up and used within an hour; BM125 M in ethanol, 245 M in ROW and 125 M in tert-butyl alcohol; NR16 M in ROW, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol; PB62 M in ROW, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol. Dye concentrations were chosen so as to give absorbances of c.1.0 at their absorbance maxima. At this absorbance level the Unicam UV-500 spectrophotometer used in this study can comfortably handle difference spectra. No light or temperature induced degradation (determined by daily monitoring of visible spectra) of ET33, ET30, PB, BDN, BM or NR was observed over the period of this study. As a precaution solutions of BM and NR were kept in the dark as both dyes are fluorescent and potentially subject to light-induced degradation.
[0128] Homeopathic potenciesSerially diluted and succussed solutions (homeopathic potencies) of a range of compounds, including glycerol 50 M, were obtained from Helios Homeopathy Ltd Tunbridge Wells, UK or Ainsworths Homeopathic Pharmacy, London, UK and were diluted 10 fold into 90% ethanol/10% ROW to ensure consistent solvent composition. Potencies are sold as made in 90% ethanol/10% ROW, but the above step was taken as a further precaution to ensure solvent equivalence with control solutions. Glycerol 50 M is a homeopathic potency prepared by the Korsakoff method. Glycerol is serially diluted and succussed by hand up to the 200c potency. Thereafter potentisation is performed mechanically. At each step a portion of solution is first diluted 100 fold, and then subjected to 10 succussion strokes. 50 M means the homeopathic medicine has gone through 50,000 such cycles. A total of 500,000 succussion strokes have therefore been imparted with an effective dilution factor of 100.sup.50000. ROW is used throughout the potentisation process.
[0129] Control solutionsControls consisted of 90% ethanol/10% ROW alone. Both potencies and controls were kept in the same 3.5 ml amber molded glass bottles used by Helios Homeopathy Ltd (obtained from the Homeopathic Supply Company Ltd, code MPB) under the same conditions at room temperature. Any impurities leaching out of the glassware should therefore be present at the same levels in both control and potency solutions. Independent analysis by ICP-OES for levels of Aluminum, Boron, Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Sodium, Silicon and Titanium by LGC Health Sciences, UK confirmed the same level of each element in both control and potency bottles (kept at room temperature for 6 months prior to analysis). Furthermore, at the levels of elements detected (all <2 g/ml of potency and control solutions) no effect on either dye difference spectra or assays involving dyes and strontium ions (see Experimental procedures below) was observed in an independent study in which salts of the above elements were deliberately added to assay solutions. Levels of other elements in control and potency solutions were below the detection limits of the ICP-OES instrumentation.
[0130] InstrumentationAssays and spectra were recorded on a Unicam UV500 uv/vis double-beam spectrophotometer run with preloaded Visionlite software capable of analysing curves and providing data points at set time intervals as they are generated. Manufacturer's specifications state an accuracy of 0.001 at an absorbance of 1.0, with a wavelength accuracy of 0.5 nm and resolution of 2 nm.
[0131] Experimental proceduresAssays were performed in single-use 1.5 ml capacity PS cuvettes (assays in ROW and ethanol) or UV cuvettes (assays in ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol) as described above. Quartz and glass cuvettes have also been used and similar results obtained. Tests showed no evaporation of contents occurred over the time periods of assays from either cuvette type using the stoppers described.
[0132] Difference spectra of dyes were typically performed as follows. 2.95 ml of dye solution at concentrations giving an absorbance of c.1.0 (see Solution storage above) was dispensed into sample and reference cuvettes and the spectrophotometer set to zero across the range of wavelengths to be assessed (generally 350 or 400 nm to 700 or 800 nm depending upon the dye being investigated). 50 l of control solution (90% ethanol/10% ROW) was then added to the reference cuvette and 50 l of potency solution (90% ethanol/10% ROW) added to the sample cuvette. Solutions in both cuvettes are therefore materially identical. Solutions were scanned at time intervals up to 3 h to give difference spectra of dye with potency minus dye with control. Scans of solutions left overnight were also performed.
[0133] Difference spectra in which 50 l of control solution was added to both cuvettes demonstrated no effect over comparable time scales compared with dye solutions to which potency had been added.
[0134] Assays with strontium ions were carried out as follows. To 2.95 ml of dye solution in PS or UV cuvettes was added 50 l of either control solution or potency solution together with, in both cases, 1 l of a 210 mM solution of strontium chloride. Absorbance was then followed at a set wavelength to monitor changes in the interaction of dye with strontium ions. The spectrophotometer was zeroed with solvent alone in the respective cuvette type prior to assay. All presented data show average values of at least 20 assays under any one set of conditions.
[0135] PS or UV cuvettes have been used throughout this study. Primarily this is because they are single-use and therefore remove any possibility for cross-contamination by residual potency potentially encountered with reusable quartz cuvettes. Laboratory temperature was maintained at 211 C. for assays involving ROW and ethanol and 241 C. for assays involving tert-butyl alcohol, using a combination of background heating and air conditioning.
[0136] The highest purity ROW, ethanol and tert-butyl alcohol were used in all assays. It is perhaps worth noting however that on addition of 50 l of either control or potency solutions to 2.95 ml of dye solution the relative levels of host solvent drop slightly because of the introduction of 45 l of ethanol and 5 l of ROW. Bulk solvent is therefore at a level of 98.5% in the case of those assays performed in ROW, 99.8% in the case of those assays performed in ethanol and 98.33% in the case of those assays performed in tert-butyl alcohol. As these small changes occur in both control and sample solutions they have not been taken into account, especially as potency effects appear to be solvent-independent
[0137] All of the methods disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the methods and in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the method described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain agents which are both chemically and physiologically related may be substituted for the agents described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
REFERENCES
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