748 Colchicine 



Neipp (1954) , Moeschlin, Meyer, and Lichtman (1954) , and Santavy, 

 Winkler, and Reichtstein (1953) .* 



Probably the best method of detecting colchicine is the polarogra- 

 phic techniqne used to great advantage by Santavy and his col- 

 leagues. "^ By these newer methods, other compounds have been 

 identified in the seed, corm, and flowers. A section is devoted to this 

 problem. 



5.5-/; Colchicuni autumnale L. We mentioned earlier the un- 

 usual character of this autumn-flowering crocus. Not many plants 

 bloom in the fall and mature seeds the following spring. Since the 

 flowering and fruiting cycle is directly correlated with development 

 of corm and seed, and since colchicine production is related to these 

 processes, knowledge of development is important. The content of 

 colchicine will vary from season to season, and with different en- 

 vironmental conditions. Seeds are a rich source of colchicine after 

 maturation. The corms reach a peak of colchicine about June or 

 July. A vast amount of information has been reported over a period 

 of 20 centuries, yet it is surprising to learn how few textbooks bring 

 together a complete report on comparative morphology, anatomy, and 

 physiology in relation to drug production. More than passing atten- 

 tion will be given to such details in this chapter. ^^ 



The corm has two coverings when dug in early summer, the outer 

 brown membranous and an inner reddish-yellow layer. Beneath these 

 coats lies a yellow body that composes the bulk of the corm and most 

 of the tissues that yield colchicine. The corm is conical, somewhat 

 rounded on the surface, and flattened on one side. At the base of 

 the flattened area a smaller corm, or bud, fits into a groove or de- 

 pression. When this young bud begins development, the larger, 

 parental corm usually carries the maximum colchicine per dry weight 

 of body. 



A bud develops in Jvdy, and during August or September stalks 

 of flowers appear. Floral activity is the first index that the young 

 corm has been active. Violet and reddish flowers in a cluster ranging 

 from two to six break through the membranes of the corm just de- 

 scribed and appear above ground. Corms that are not placed in the 



* H. Bock and R. Gross, "Leukamie unci Tumorbehandlung mit einem Nelienal- 

 ca\oid aus, Colchicuin autuninnlc (Demecolcin) ." Acta Hoeinatol. 11:280-300. 1954. 



R. Meier, B. Schar, and L. Neipp. "Die W'irkimg von Demecolceinaniiden an 

 Zellen hi iiilro." Expericntia. 10:74-76 . 1954. 



S. Moeschlin, H. Me)ei, and A. Lichtman, "Ein nciies Colchicuni-Xehcnakaloid 

 (Demecolcin Ciha) als cytostaticum myeloischer Leukamien." Schweiz. Med. 

 VVschr. 83:990. 1953. 



F. Santavy, R. Winkler, and T. Rcichstein. "Ziir Konsiilution von Demecolcin 

 (Substance F) aus Colchiciuu uutumualc L." Hehetica Chim. Acta. 36:1319-24. 

 1953. 



