Page 31 - phytochemistry II -pharmD general

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
in other disorders.
➢ Since colchicine is so spesific and rapidly effective in acute symptoms of
gout (improvement is achieved within hours), it has been used as
diagnostic aid in this disorder.
➢ It also may be used prophylactically to
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.

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