Colchicim autumnale Pharmacognosy Pharmacology

1. Colchicum
autumnale

2. Introduction
 Botanical name: Colchicum autumnale Linn
 Family: Liliaceae
 English name: Autumn Crocus,Meadow Saffron
 Urdu name: Suranjan Shireen
 Part used : Dried seed,Corm,Flower.
 Chemical class : ALkaloids

3. Chemical
Constituents
 Colchicine
 Demecolcine
 Cholchicoresin
 Fixed oils
 Glucose
 Starch

4. Uses
 In treatment of gout
 Antirheumatic
 Cathartic
 Analgesic
 In Treatnent of Leukaemia
 Osteoarthritis of knee

5. Mechanism of Action
 Colchicine inhibits microtubule polymerization by
binding to tubulin, one of the main constituents of
microtubules. Availability of tubulin is essential
to mitosis, so colchicine effectively functions as a
"mitotic poison" or spindle poison.
 Mast cells contain preformed proinflammatory
substances ,including Histamine , cytokines and
enzymes such as tryptase ,mast cell chymase and
serine esterases , all of which may contribute to the
promotion of downstream inflammatory cascade.

6. Mechanism of Action
In patient with gout, first it cause reduction in
lactic acid production by leukocytes, which
results in decrease in uric acid deposition.
Reduction in phagocytosis, with abatement
of the inflammatory response.

7. Mechanism of Action
 It does have prophylactic , suppressive effect that
helps to reduce the incidence of acute attacks
and to relieve the pain and mild discomfort that a
patient with gout occasionally feel.

8. Side Effects Vomiting.
 Stomach upset.
 Kidney diseases.
 Diarrhea
 Blood disorders

9. Toxicology
 Can cause severe gastric distress
 Shock
 Inhibit normal cell growth

10. Dose
 1-2mg oral dose for gout.

11. Drug Interactions
 Colchicine is inhibited by acidifying agents. The
action of colchicine is potentiated by alkalinizing
agents.
 Clarithromycine : Clarithromycin may increase
the blood levels of colchicine to dangerous levels,
increasing the risk of serious side effects that
can affect your muscles, blood cells, nervous
system, and multiple organs including the liver
and kidneys.

12.  Levodopa : cause peripheral neuropathy.
 Azathioprine : increase risk of serious infection.
 Gemfibrozil : A case of rhabdomyolysis is
observed.

13. Contraindications
It is a very toxic plant , it should not be prescribed for pregnant women
or patients with kidney disease.

14. Refrences
 Text book of pharmacognosy and
phytochemistry by Biren Shah ,A.K Seth
 www.drug.com
 www.rxlist.com
 www.drugbank.ca/drugs/db01394