Page 36 - Pharmacognosy-I (02-06-06-102)

‫ بذور الحلاح‬Colchicum seeds

Biological origin: Dried ripe seeds of Colchicum autumnale,family
Liliaceae. It yield not less than 0.5% of colchicine.
Constituents:
1- Trupolone alkaloids; colchicine (0.6-1.2%) -Minor alkaloids as
colchiceine.
Test for colchicine:

1- With hydrochloric acid it gives deep yellow color.
2- With sulphuric acid it gives yellow color.
Uses:
1-Colchicum is chiefly used to relieve the pain and inflammation and shorten
the duration of acute gout and certain gouty affections.
2-Colchicine is a plant hormone and is used to stimulate the formation of
polyploids or multiplication of chromosomes in the cell nucleus.
3-Colchicine has anti-leukaemic properties and used recently in treatment of
the Mediterranean fever and also used in liver transplantation due to its
anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to inhibit fibrosis.
Precautions and adverse reactions

General: The drugs are severely poisonous. Signs of poisoning, including

stomachaches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and, less frequently, stomach and
intestinal hemorrhages, can occur even with the administration of therapeutic
dosages.

Pregnancy: Colchicum is not to be used during pregnancy because of

possible teratogenic damage. This also has been noted following intake of the
drug by the father before conception.

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