16 Colchicine 



1942 have been con iribu tors. -^"^ Other simihir resuUs comparing in 

 particular the infrared spectra of colchicine and its derivatives with 

 the tropolone structme, also offer supporting evidence for the cor- 

 rectness of the structure of colchicine.-'*'^ 



Tools for deeper insight to biological problems arise from the 

 many derivatives obtained with chemical studies.-"' There are also 

 natural compoiuids accompanying the crude product from Colchi- 

 ciim which can be of value for experimental work. Numerous areas 

 Avhere such may be introduced shall be considered in chapters through- 

 out this work. 



When /^ocolchicine was prepared, additional c-mitotic* analysis 

 could be made. Significant changes in the biological activity ac- 

 companied changes in chemical structure. The new compoimd has 

 a c-mitotic activity 100 times lower than colchicine.^- In this instance, 

 ring C appears to be decisive through the interchanges of keto and 

 methoxyl groups. Another well-known derivative, colchiceine, demon- 

 strates little or no c-mitotic action in any concentrations tcsted.-*- 

 Thesc and other cases call for cooperative work between two highly 

 complex laboratory ojjcrations, chemistry on one hand and experi- 

 mental biology on the other. These areas are exceedingly difficult; 

 the lack of control in biology often becomes frustrating to the physical 

 scientist. Control or direction over life processes such as mitosis by 

 designing chemical striutines are intriguing fields for investigation. 



1.5: New Biological Uses for Colchicine 



Colchicine causes a "veritable explosion"-' of mitoses ^\•hen in con- 

 tact with mitotically active tissues. The sudden increase in published 

 reports dealing with colchicine was also described as a "veritable ex- 

 plosion" of publications,^*' particularly from 19.^8 to 1942. For this 

 reason, Wellcnsiek proclaimed a new "fad" in biological research,'*'' 

 the "colchicine fad." An immense bibliography'*' has accunudated, 

 chiefly since 1934. 



Accurate historical records have established the way in which 

 colchicine research began in new fields^"^ and chronologies--* have been 

 written; no attempt shall be made to review this aspect. i*^' Such sud- 

 den increase in research with a drug known to man for thirty-five 

 centuries does arouse interesting specidations as to the causes for an 

 immediate switch to this particular line of work. After research in 

 several fields had shown unusual residts, much work was soon under 

 way. Here we touch upon the initiation of research with colchicine; 

 extensive details are foLuid in subsequent chapters. 



* The adjective c-mitotir is derived from r-iiiitnsis. which designates a mitosis 

 occurring inider the infiuence of colchicine. 



