Autumn Crocus

Autumn Crocus, Colchicum autumnale, family Colchicaceae, a meadow plant of central and southern Europe (synonyms: meadow saffron, naked lady, etc.). The seeds and corms of the plant contain the amorphous alkaloid colchicine, which with crystallization water forms large yellow rhombic crystals of the formula (C₂₂ H₂₅ O₆ N)₂·3H₂O and represents the methyl ether of the less toxic colchiceine. The toxicity of colchicine, in turn, is attributed to the oxidation product formed in warm-blooded organisms - oxidi-colchicine. Colchicine has a strongly bitter taste, a pronounced local irritant effect, and when taken orally causes acute gastroenteritis (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.). The resorptive effect of colchicine, probably due to the slow absorption and oxidation processes, is only detected after a certain period (3-6 hours) and manifests itself mainly on the central nervous system with phenomena of first sensory and then motor paralysis, with minimal disturbance of the circulatory apparatus. Characteristic is the effect on the leukocyte composition of the blood: after a short (1 hour) leukopenia, a multi-hour leukocytosis (polynuclear) occurs. Recently, colchicine has been attributed properties as a capillary poison. It is used empirically, mainly for gout attacks. The therapeutic effect is explained partly by the blunting of sensitivity, and partly by the hyperemia in the joints that occurs due to capillary paresis. Dosages: Colchicini 0.0005-0.001; Tincturae et Extracti Colchici no. 10-15 drops several times a day - maximum daily dose 6.0. V. Karasik.

Colchicum autumnale: 1-fruit; 2-flowering plant; 3-longitudinal section of rhizome; 4-opened corolla; 5-opened fruit; 6-cross section of fruit.