Meadow saffron plant Colchicum

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]. 

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-... 

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. 

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 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. 

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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