Page 33 - phytochemistry general program

Quantitative estimation

Gravimetric method.
Spectrophotometric method.
Colorimetric method.

Pharmacological action & Uses:

1- The major use of colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment
of acute gouty arthritis.

Mechanism of action in gouty arthritis:
Reduce inflammation caused by deposits of urate crystals in the joints and by

reduction of phagocytosis.

it is not effective in reducing inflammation .1
in other disorders.

Since colchicine is so spesific and rapidly effective in acute symptoms of .1
gout (improvement is achieved within hours), it has been used as diagnostic

aid in this disorder.
It also may be used prophylactically to .2

prevent further attacks.

2- Colchicine is also used in biological experiments to produce polyploidy or
multiplication of the chromosomes in a cell- nucleus ( use as a plant hormone)

3- Colchicine has a property of being mitotic poison ,i.e.tumor -inhibitory activity

4- Colchicine prevents attacks of Mediterranean sea fever.

31