It pertains to selective inhibition of C3 convertase of the alternative pathway of complement as well as the previously claimed assembly of the membrane attack complex of complement by use of less than 1 kDa molecular weight forms of the aurin tricarboxylic acid synthetic complex (ATAC), and their derivatives. It further pertains to the use of these materials to treat human conditions where there is evidence of self destruction of host tissue by C3 convertase activation of the alternative complement pathway, or the membrane attack complex, or both pathways. These diseases include, but are not limited to, paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinemia, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, malaria infection, Alzheimer disease, age related macular degeneration, and atherosclerosis.