4074 Colchicine Colchicine is only found in individuals that have used or taken this drug. It is a major alkaloid from Colchicum autumnale L. and found also in other Colchicum species. Its primary therapeutic use is in the treatment of gout, but it has been used also in the therapy of familial Mediterranean fever (periodic disease). The precise mechanism of action has not been completely established. In patients with gout, colchicine apparently interrupts the cycle of monosodium urate crystal deposition in joint tissues and the resultant inflammatory response that initiates and sustains an acute attack. Colchicine decreases leukocyte chemotaxis and phagocytosis and inhibits the formation and release of a chemotactic glycoprotein that is produced during phagocytosis of urate crystals. Colchicine also inhibits urate crystal deposition, which is enhanced by a low pH in the tissues, probably by inhibiting oxidation of glucose and subsequent lactic acid production in leukocytes. Colchicine has no analgesic or antihyperuricemic activity. Colchicine inhibits microtubule assembly in various cells, including leukocytes, probably by binding to and interfering with polymerization of the microtubule subunit tubulin. Although some studies have found that this action probably does not contribute significantly to colchicine's antigout action, a recent in vitro study has shown that it may be at least partially involved. 64-86-8 2833 C22H25NO6 White powder. 156°C 4.5E+004 mg/L (at 25°C) Colchicine is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, probably from the jejunum and ileum. However, the rate and extent of absorption are variable, depending on the tablet dissolution rate; variability in gastric emptying, intestinal motility, and pH at the absorption site; and the extent to which colchicine is bound to microtubules in gastrointestinal mucosal cells. Colchicine inhibits microtubule assembly in various cells, including leukocytes, probably by binding to and interfering with polymerization of the microtubule subunit tubulin. Although some studies have found that this action probably does not contribute significantly to colchicine's antigout action, a recent in vitro study has shown that it may be at least partially involved. Probably hepatic. Although colchicine metabolites have not been identified in humans, metabolism by mammalian hepatic microsomes has been demonstrated in vitro. Route of Elimination: In healthy volunteers (n=12) 40 - 65% of 1 mg orally administered colchicine was recovered unchanged in urine. Enterohepatic recirculation and biliary excretion are also postulated to play a role in colchicine elimination. Half Life: Elimination half-life is approximately 1 hour in healthy subjects, although a study with an extended sampling time reported mean terminal elimination half-life values of approximately 9 to 10.5 hours. Other studies have reported half-life values of approximately 2 hours in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and approximately 2.5 hours in patients with familial Mediterranean fever. No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). For treatment and relief of pain in attacks of acute gouty arthritis. 2014-08-29T04:49:18Z 2014-12-24T20:26:35Z Colchicine C07592 23359 DB01394 true COC1=C(OC)C(OC)=C2C(CCC(N=C(C)O)C3=CC(=O)C(OC)=CC=C23)=C1 C22H25NO6 InChI=1/C22H25NO6/c1-12(24)23-16-8-6-13-10-19(27-3)21(28-4)22(29-5)20(13)14-7-9-18(26-2)17(25)11-15(14)16/h7,9-11,16H,6,8H2,1-5H3,(H,23,24) InChIKey=IAKHMKGGTNLKSZ-UHFFFAOYNA-N 399.437 399.168187537 Exogenous Solid 1.3 HMDB15466 CHEMBL107 2731 <p>Christian Wehrey, &#8220;Colchicine derivatives, process for preparing them, products obtained therefrom and use thereof.&#8221; U.S. Patent US20040138182, issued July 15, 2004.</p>