Many previous studies of biological activity in a homologous series of amphiphiles have shown a cut-off effect, where the biological activity increases with an increase in chain length, after which the activity plateaus or weakens. One factor suspected to cause this problem is solubility issues. We have designed several series of very hydrophobic, water-soluble amphiphiles to overcome this problem. Three homologous series containing mobile hydrophobic moieties and two series of epimers containing rigid cholestane moieties have been synthesized; the hydrophobic moiety is connected to the first-generation, Newkome-type dendron via a ureido linker. We have demonstrated that as tris(triethanolammonium) salts, these amphiphiles show excellent solubility in water. The solubilities in aqueous triethanolamine solution of the three series containing mobile hydrophobic moieties are 19,500 to 25,700 μM depending on the formula weight of the homolog, while those containing rigid cholestane moieties are 18,900 and 17,400 μM. Having eliminated the solubility issue, the antimicrobial activity against a broad spectrum of microorganisms has been screened. We have demonstrated that the antimicrobial activity depends on the amphiphile-series, species, chain-length, or epimer specificities, as well as hydrophobicity. The one-tailed, tri-carboxylato amphiphiles are generally better than the other series, with two exceptions. First, the two-tailed tri-carboxylato amphiphiles, <b>3CUr1(11)₂</b> and <b>3CUr1(12)₂</b>, are more active against <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>; in fact, both amphiphiles (MICs are 6.9 and 7.2 μM, respectively) are considered to display good antifungal activity. Second, amphiphile <b>3CUr-β-cholestane</b>, whose MIC is 27 μM, is more active against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Overall, these new tri-carboxylato amphiphiles only exhibit moderate activity with two promising leads. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the intrinsic activity (MIC₀) of the one-tailed, tri-carboxylato amphiphile series (<b>3CUrn</b>) against <i>Mycobacterium smegmatis</i>. All the MIC₀s observed are at least 8-fold lower than the corresponding CMCs. Amphiphile <b>3CUr16</b> is the most active; the MIC₀ is 100-fold smaller than the CMC. With this consideration, we have suggested that the mechanism of action of the antimycobacterial activity in amphiphile <b>3CUr16</b> is not related to detergency. / Ph. D.

It has been observed that confusion exists in literature concerning the meaning and use of the term efficacy. Confusion is worsened by the use of the term as a general term describing agonist activity. The meaning of the terms intrinsic activity, efficacy and intrinsic efficacy as used in theoretical models of drug action was investigated. The classical occupation model, the two-state model, the ternary complex model (including conformational change and ideas surrounding G-proteins) and the operational model were studied in order to understand the historical and current usage of these terms. Although efficacy estimates are often reported as a molecular property, it was shown that agonist activity is tissue dependent and cannot be fully portrayed by an efficacy estimate. It was found that efficacy has a different definition in each model. This is not always recognized in literature. It was suggested that the term efficacy should only be used in the context of a specific model / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

It has been observed that confusion exists in literature concerning the meaning and use of the term efficacy. Confusion is worsened by the use of the term as a general term describing agonist activity. The meaning of the terms intrinsic activity, efficacy and intrinsic efficacy as used in theoretical models of drug action was investigated. The classical occupation model, the two-state model, the ternary complex model (including conformational change and ideas surrounding G-proteins) and the operational model were studied in order to understand the historical and current usage of these terms. Although efficacy estimates are often reported as a molecular property, it was shown that agonist activity is tissue dependent and cannot be fully portrayed by an efficacy estimate. It was found that efficacy has a different definition in each model. This is not always recognized in literature. It was suggested that the term efficacy should only be used in the context of a specific model / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.