Cocoa extract compounds and methods for making and using the same

An antineoplastic composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 10
• wherein n is an integer from 3 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

An antioxidant composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 11
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

An antimicrobial composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 12
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A cyclo-oxygenase and/or lipoxygenase modulating composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 13
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

An NO or NO-synthase modulating composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 14
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety via an ester bond;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of treating a mammal in need of treatment with an NO or NO synthase agent comprising administering to the mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 15
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of reducing NO affected hypercholesterolemia in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 16
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method for the induction of iNOS in mammalian monocyte and/or macrophages comprising contacting said monocyte and/or macrophages with a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 17
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of stimulating mammalian monocyte and/or macrophage NO production comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 18
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

An in vivo glucose-modulating composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 19
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A topoisomerase II-inhibiting composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 20
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A non-steroidal antiinflammatory composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 21
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of the additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of an additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety, and
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

An anti-gingivitis or anti-periodontitis composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 22
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of reducing periodontal disease progression in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal with a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 23
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of treatment of periodontal disease comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 24
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A platelet aggregation modulating composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 25
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

An apoptosis modulating composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 26
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of modulating apoptosis comprising contacting COX-2 expressing cancer cells with a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 27
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of inhibiting oxidative damage to DNA comprising contacting DNA with a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 28
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A composition for treating, preventing or reducing atherosclerosis or restenosis comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 29
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of treating, preventing or reducing atherosclerosis or restenosis in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 30
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of inhibiting the oxidation of LDL in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 31
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of modulating cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) for the treatment for inflammatory bowel disease comprising administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 32
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of inhibiting bacterial growth in a mammal comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 33
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method of reducing hypertension in a mammal in need of such treatment comprising administering to said mammal a composition comprising a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 34
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond of an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety;
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, and oxidation products thereof;
• and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.

A method for the identification of at least one gene induced or repressed by a polymeric compound of the formula An, wherein A is a monomer of the formula:

• 35
• wherein n is an integer from 2 to 18, such that there is at least one terminal monomeric unit A, and one or a plurality of additional monomeric units;
• R is 3-(α)—OH, 3-(β)—OH, 3-(α)—O-sugar, or 3-(β)—O-sugar;
• bonding between adjacent monomers takes place at positions selected from the group consisting of 4, 6 and 8;
• a bond for an additional monomeric unit in position 4 has alpha or beta stereochemistry;
• X, Y and Z are selected from the group consisting of monomeric unit A, hydrogen, and a sugar, with the provisos that as to the at least one terminal monomeric unit, bonding of the additional monomeric unit thereto is at position 4 and optionally Y=Z=hydrogen;
• the sugar is optionally substituted with a phenolic moiety, and
• pharmaceutically acceptable salts, derivatives thereof, oxidation products thereof, or combinations thereof,
• said method comprising contacting said at least one gene or a gene product thereof with the polymeric compound using a gene expression assay.