A Comprehensive Review of Colchicine: An Ancient Drug with many Therapeutic Potentials. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research
Kholoud Elshiwy
(1), Ghada Essam El-Din Amin (1,2), Mohamed Nazmy Farres (3), Rasha Samir (3),
Mohamed Farouk Allam(1,4*)
1. Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
2. Department
of Community, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain
Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
3. Department
of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
4. Department
of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of
Cordoba, Cordoba 14004, Spain.
International
Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research 2024;14(4):17-22.
DOI: 10.51847/Hsll58k7kS
ABSTRACT
In this study, we aimed to review the literature and formulate a
comprehensive understanding of colchicine and its therapeutic potential.
Colchicine is one of the oldest treatments which are still used today.
Colchicine is an alkaloid agent that has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving
effects. It has been used to treat inflammatory diseases such as gout, familial
Mediterranean fever (FMF), and Behcet’s disease. Colchicine's ability to reduce
inflammation is linked to its interaction with tubulin, a cytoskeletal
structure. Colchicine inhibits neutrophil adhesion, migration, and chemotaxis.
Tyrosine phosphorylation, which is crucial for neutrophil activation, is
specifically inhibited by colchicine. Additionally, colchicine inhibits
neutrophil deformability, which influences neutrophil extravasation. Colchicine
inhibits the production of superoxide and the release of interleukin 1β and
IL-6. Colchicine decreases the production of inflammasomes that stimulate
caspase-1 activation and release of interleukins. Colchicine has gained
attention during the COVID-19 pandemic to treat severe COVID-19 cases and to
decrease mortality. Colchicine is considered a safe drug with high availability
and affordability. Colchicine metabolism is affected by cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4)
and P glycoprotein inhibitors, and renal and hepatic function impairment. The
most documented adverse effects of colchicine are gastrointestinal symptoms
e.g., diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Key Words: Colchicine,
Mechanism of action, Indications, Review, Ain Shams University.
Elshiwy Kh,
Amin GEED, Farres MN, Samir R, Allam MF. A Comprehensive Review of Colchicine:
An Ancient Drug with Many Therapeutic Potentials. Int J Pharm Phytopharmacol
Res. 2024;14(4):17-22.