The present invention provides a class of chemical compounds useful in the treatment of sickle cell disease, diseases characterized by unwanted or abnormal cell proliferation and for the treatment of ocular disorders such as glaucoma. The active compounds are tri-(aryl or heteroaryl) methane compounds or analogues thereof which further comprise an imine moiety and where the tertiary carbon atom can be replaced with a different atom such as Si, Ge, N or P. The compounds enhance resistance to degradation in a biological medium, inhibit potassium flux in a cell, reduce mammalian cell proliferation, reduce the Gardos channel of erythrocytes, reduce sickle erythrocyte dehydration and/or delay the occurrence of erythrocyte sickling or deformation.