Autumn crocus

The active principle of the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), colchicine (48), is one of the very few drugs that have remained in reputable medical use since ancient times. This drug was the only useful treatment available for the excruciating pain associated with crystallization of uric acid in the joints characteristic of gout until the advent of allopurinol. Although the precise mechanism by which colchicine gives this dramatic relief remains undefined, the antimitotic activity of this agent is... 

By necessity, herbivores have evolved GIT and systemic compensatory mechanisms that allow them to subsist on plant-based diets that have limited nutrient quality and include phytochemicals. Still, herbivores remain susceptible to some of the anti-nutrient and toxic phytochemicals. For example, several herbivores are sensitive to the phytotoxins associated with autumn crocus, which include colchicine (Yamada et al, 2000). As a consequence, herbivores tend to select species and portions of plants based on a combination of nutrient quality and concentrations of phytochemicals (Yeager et al, 1997), and this has an impact on habitat selection and plant ecology (Duncan and Gordon, 1999). Carnivorous species have not been under selective pressure to develop similar compensatory mechanisms, generally have only limited abilities to subsist on plant-based diets, and in many cases are less tolerant of phytochemicals. 

YAMADA M, KOBAYASHi Y, FURUOKA H, MATSUIT (2000) Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse. . 1 Vet Med Sci. 62 809-13. 

Source Naturally occurs in cranberries, ligonberries (1,360 ppm), peppermint leaves (20-200 ppb), tea leaves, cassia bark, carob, blessed thistle, purple foxglove, jasmine, hyacinth, apples, tobacco leaves, daffodils, autumn crocus, prunes, anise seeds, ripe cloves, and wild black cherry tree bark (Duke, 1992 quoted, Verschueren, 1983). 

Colchicine (9) Colchicum autumnale L. (autumn crocus), Gloriosa superha L. (glory lily) Anti-gout... 

Autumn Crocus just before flowering, when the alkaloid content is at its highest. If you do not choose the extraction route, any decent chemical supply house will carry it. I had a chemical house refuse to sell me potassium cyanide but who had no problems with selling me all the colchicine I wanted ( at 30.00 a gram). Colchicine is at least 5 times as deadly as cyanide. It s a funny world. 

SOURCE - Extracted from Autumn Crocus flower (Colchicum autumnale). Also available from many chemical companies. 

Colchicine, an alkaloid obtained from the autumn crocus, has long been used and is relatively selective for the treatment of acute gouty arthritis. Unlike many of the newer agents for use in gout, colchicine has minimal effects on uric acid synthesis and excretion it decreases inflammation associated with this disorder. It is thought that colchicine somehow prevents the release of the chemotactic factors and/or inflammatory cytokines from the neutrophils, and this in turn decreases the attraction of more neutrophils into the affected area (Fig. 37.1).The ability of colchicine to bind to leukocyte microtubules in a reversible covalent complex and cause their depolymerization also may be a factor in decreasing the attraction of the motile leukocytes into the inflamed area. 

Although NSAIDs are now the first-line drugs for acute gout, colchicine was the primary treatment for many years. Colchicine is an alkaloid isolated from the autumn crocus, Colchicum autumnale. Its structure is shown in Figure 36-6. 

Colchichine is a natural material produced by the autumn crocus and meadow saffron. Its mechanism of CH3 action, as far as it is known, is three-fold it interferes with microtubule-spindle formation in the proliferation of the cells responsible for inflammation it has an antihistaminic effect it prevents the release of an inflammatory glycoprotein... 

Colchicine is a poisonous tricyclic tropane alkaloid from the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) and gloriosa lily (Gloriosa superba). This alkaloid is a potent spindle fiber poison, preventing tubulin polymerization.25 Colchicine has been used as an effective anti-inflammatory drug in the treatment of gout and chronic myelocytic leukemia, but therapeutic effects are attainable at toxic or near toxic dosages. For this reason, colchicine and its analogs are primarily used as biochemical tools in the mechanistic study of new mitotic inhibitors. 

Colchicine is an important naturally occurring tropolone derivative. It is isolated from the autumn crocus and is used in medicine for the treatment of gout. It also has an effect on cell division and is used in plant genetic studies to cause doubling of chromosomes. The structure has been confirmed by total synthesis. 

Colchicine (an alkaloid obtained from meadow saffron or autumn crocus) may be used both diagnostically to ascertain the presence of gout and prophylactically to prevent its further occurrence. Usually, 0.5-mg oral doses of colchicine are given hourly until either the therapeutic effects appear or the side effects develop. In addition to colchicine, phenylbutazone, indomethacin, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and steroidal anti-inflammatory agents may be used to treat the acute attack of gout. 

Colchicine is an alkaloid isolated from the autumn crocus, Colchicum autumnale. Its structure is shown in Figure 36-6. 

This is an alkaloid derived from the autumn crocus (Colchicum). Colchicine rapidly relieves the pain and inflammation of an acute attack of gout. Such swift relief is considered to confirm the diagnosis because non-gouty arthritis is unaffected, though failure does not prove the patient is free of gout. It is most effective if given within 24 h of onset and is useful in patients in whom NSAIDs are contraindicated. It is also used in recurrent hereditary polyserositis (Familial Mediterranean Fever) when it may prevent attacks and the development of amyloid. The t) is 1 h. 

Colchicine Gout anti-inflammatory Colchicum autumnale Autumn crocus... 

Autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale GI toxicity, vomiting, neurologic toxicity, kidney failure... 

Liliaceae, four species are included under their Latin names and major common names—Sassafras albidum (sassafras). Allium sativum (garlic), Colchicum autum-nale (autumn crocus), and Ruscus aculeatus (butcher s broom). 

Citrus auranticum (bergamot) Citrus paradisi (grapefruit) Coichicum autumnaie (autumn crocus)... 

Ricinus communis (castor oii piant) Euphorbiaceae (spurge) Autumn crocus Colchicum autumnale... 

Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus) and other Colchicum species belong to the family known as the Colchicaceae, a proposed subdivision of the Liliaceae. They contain colchicine and related alkaloids. Other members of the Colchicaceae include Gloriosa species and Merendera species. C. autumnale (autumn crocus) is the traditional source of colchicine, which is covered in a separate monograph. 

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