Saffron, meadow

Saffron. Saffron spice is the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae), a bulbous perennial native to southern Europe and Asia Minor and cultivated in the Mediterranean countries, particularly Spain. Tme saffron should not be confused with either meadow saffron, ie, Colchicum autumnale L. (Lihaceae) also called safflower, or bastard saffron, ie, Carthamus tinctorius L. (Compositae), both of which are occasionally used to adulterate tme saffron. 

Herberge, /. inn shelter, herblich, a. sourish, subacid somewhat harsh. Berbst, m. autumn, -rose, /. hollyhock, -zeit-lose, /. meadow saffron. 

Several groups of drugs that bind to tubulin at different sites interfere with its polymerization into microtubules. These drugs are of experimental and clinical importance (Bershadsky and Vasiliev, 1988). For example, colchicine, an alkaloid derived from the meadow saffron plant Colchicum autumnale or Colchicum speciosum), is the oldest and most widely studied of these drugs. It forms a molecular complex with tubulin in the cytosol pool and prevents its polymerization into microtubules. Other substances such as colcemid, podophyllotoxin, and noco-dazole bind to the tubulin molecule at the same site as colchicine and produce a similar effect, albeit with some kinetic differences. Mature ciliary microtubules are resistant to colchicine, whereas those of the mitotic spindle are very sensitive. Colchicine and colcemid block cell division in metaphase and are widely used in cytogenetic studies of cultured cells to enhance the yield of metaphase plate chromosomes. 

Colchicine (6) was isolated by Pelletier and Caventou in 1820 and is the main alkaloid of the poisonous meadow saffron plant (Colchicum autum-nale L.) [12-16]. Following some considerable debate over colchicine s structure [17-20] and its successful synthesis [21-26], colchicine was found to bind to tubulin at what is referred to as the colchicine binding site [1,27]. 

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 (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. 

This book shows how Eastern physicians used meadow saffron, which is good for gout, but also provides evidence that meadow saffron possesses colchicines, an antigoutic medication, and provides the mechanisms of action for it. 

The natural compound colchicine (1) was extracted from the poisonous meadow saffron Colchicum autumnale L. and was the first antimitotic destabilizing agent to be discovered [9], It consists of three rings a trimethoxyphenyl (TMP, ring A), a... 

Wani, M.C., and Oberlies, N.H. (2005) New cholchidnoids from a native Jordanian meadow saffron, Colchicum brachyphyllum isolation of the first naturally occurring dextrorotatory colchidnoid. Journal of Natural Products, 68, 173-178. 

An alkaloid obtained from the corm and seeds of the meadow saffron, Colchicum autumnale (Liliaceae) and other Colchicum species. 

DACTILETUS — is Meadow-Saffron, or Daisy. Also the timeless. 

Colchicine Natural product from meadow saffron (genus Colchicum). Depolymerizes microtubules. 

Wild sarsaparilla Avalia nudicaulis) has long been an ingredient of soft drinks. Aloe Aloe vera) once provided needles for early phonographs and remains important today as a salve in the treatment of bums and in cosmetics. Meadow saffron or fall crocus Colchicum au-tumnale) was used to treat gout (a painful disease of inflamed Joints), and is still much used in research. Cochic ine is extracted from the plant and used to pre-... 

Colchicum. Meadow saffron. Colchicum autumnale. W. II. 272. Radix. The root. 

Take of Fresh meadow saffron cut in slices, one ounce. 

Macerate the meadow saffron in the vinegar for two days, occasionally shaking the vessel then strain the infusion with gentle expression. To the strained infusion add the sugar and boil a little so as to form a syrup. 

LOIC C Colchicum and demecolchicine Colchicine is an alkaloid, previously extracted from the seeds of the Autumn Crocus or Meadow-saffron, Colchicum autumnale L., but nowadays from the seeds of Gloriosa,... 

AUTUMN CROCUS (or Meadow-Saffron) Colchicum cmtumnak, L., family Colchicaceae, is cultivated as an ornamental plant in gardens. The whole plant, mainly the seed, contains the alkaloid colchicine. 

Major alkaloid extracted from seeds of Colchicum autumnale common meadow saffron. Nausea, vomiting, convulsions, paralysis, death. Used as a treatment for gout and in experimental biology as an arrestor of mitosis to facilitate examination of chromosomes. 

Also mentioned in the aforecited book are colchicine and colchidnamide, derived from the common autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), also called meadow saffron. (Colchicine, incidentally, is used in plant gaieties to artificially produce mutations.) The notable use cited is against breast cancer, but gout and arthritis also yield to treatment. It is emphasized that both these alkaloids are potent, and their use requires expert medical supervision. Another plant mentioned is cro-talaria (Crotalaria spectabilis), from which a toxic alkaloid called monocrotaline may be obtained. This substance also has antitumor properties, but acts against the liver. 

Colchicine. Extracted from the seeds of the common meadow saffron has similar properties to veratrine, but is crystalline, and soluble in water. 

Colchlcum Corm. Meadow saffron autumn crocus wild saffron meadow crocus. Dried corm of Co/chicum maimnale L., Liliaceae. Habit. Central and Southern Europe, North Africa. Consllt. 0.3-0 5% colchicine, colchi- in. colchicoresin, starch, etc. Detn of colchicine in colchicine corm Self, Corfield, Quart. J. Pharm. Pharmacol S, 347(1932). 

Colchicine is present in the poisonous autumn crocus (meadow saffron). It is the major alkaloid of Colchicum autumnale L. and Lili-aceae. It was used in poison potions in the ancient kingdom of Colchis (Greece). It is used therapeutically as an antineoplast, for the suppression of gout, and in the treatment of Mediterranean fever. It is nsed in plant studies for doubling chromosome groups. 

The fresh corm of Meadow Saffron, Oolchicum autum-note collected about the end of June, stripped of its coats, sliced transversely, and dried at a temperature not ezceed-ing 160 P. 

Colchicine is marketed in tablets used for treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever and is found in certain plants autumn crocus or meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) and glory lily Gloriosa superba). A colchicine overdose is ex-... 

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