Title: Colchicine
CAS Registry Number: 64-86-8
CAS Name: N-[(7
S)-5,6,7,9-Tetrahydro-1,2,3,10-tetramethoxy-9-oxobenzo[
a]heptalen-7-yl]acetamide
Molecular Formula: C22H25NO6
Molecular Weight: 399.44
Percent Composition: C 66.15%, H 6.31%, N 3.51%, O 24.03%
Literature References: A major alkaloid of
Colchicum autumnale L.,
Liliaceae. Extraction procedure: Chemnitius,
J. Prakt. Chem. [II]
118, 29 (1928); F. E. Hamerslag,
Technology and Chemistry of Alkaloids (New York, 1950) pp 66-80. Structure: Dewar,
Nature 155, 141 (1945); King
et al., Acta Crystallogr. 5, 437 (1952); Horowitz, Ullyot,
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 74, 487 (1952). Crystal structure: L. Lessinger, T. N. Margulis,
Acta Crystallogr. B34, 578 (1978). Total synthesis: Schreiber
et al., Helv. Chim. Acta 44, 540 (1961); Van Tamelen
et al., Tetrahedron 14, 8 (1961); Nakamura,
Chem. Pharm. Bull. 8, 843 (1960); Sunagawa
et al., ibid. 9, 81 (1961);
10, 281 (1962); Scott
et al., Tetrahedron 21, 3605 (1965); Woodward,
Harvey Lectures, Ser.
59 (Academic Press, New York, 1965) p 31; Kotani
et al., Chem. Commun. 1974, 300; D. A. Evans
et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103, 5813 (1981). Biosynthesis: Leete,
Tetrahedron Lett. 1965, 333; Battersby
et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1964, 4257; Hill, Unrau,
Can. J. Chem. 43, 709 (1965). Tubulin-binding activity: J. M. Andreu, S. N. Timasheff,
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 79, 6753 (1982). Toxicity: S. J. Rosenbloom, F. C. Ferguson,
Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 13, 50 (1968); R. P. Beliles,
ibid. 23, 537 (1972). Clinical evaluations in cirrhosis of the liver: M. M. Kaplan
et al., N. Engl. J. Med. 315, 1448 (1986); D. Kershenobich
et al., ibid. 318, 1709 (1988). Bibliography of early literature: Eigsti,
Lloydia 10, 65 (1947). Monograph: O. J. Eigsti, P. Dustin, Jr.,
Colchicine in Agriculture, Medicine, Biology and Chemistry (Iowa State College Press, Ames, Iowa, 1955).
Reviews: Fleming,
Selected Organic Syntheses (John Wiley, London, 1973) pp 183-207; G. Lagrue
et al., Ann. Med. Interne 132, 496-500 (1981); F. D. Malkinson,
Arch. Dermatol. 118, 453-457 (1982). Comprehensive description: D. K. Wyatt
et al., Anal. Profiles Drug Subs. 10, 139-182 (1981).
Properties: Pale yellow scales or powder, mp 142-150°. Darkens on exposure to light. Has been crystallized from ethyl acetate, pale yellow needles, mp 157°. [a]D17 -429° (c = 1.72). [a]D17 -121° (c = 0.9 in chloroform). pK at 20°: 12.35; pH of 0.5% soln: 5.9. uv max (95% ethanol): 350.5, 243 nm (log e 4.22; 4.47). One gram dissolves in 22 ml water, 220 ml ether, 100 ml benzene; freely sol in alcohol or chloroform. Practically insol in petr ether. Forms two cryst compds with chloroform, B.CHCl3 or B.2CHCl3, which do not give up their chloroform unless heated between 60 and 70° for considerable time. LD50 in rats (mg/kg): 1.6 i.v. (Rosenbloom, Ferguson); in mice (mg/kg): 4.13 i.v. (Beliles).
Melting point: mp 142-150°; mp 157°
pKa: pK at 20°: 12.35; pH of 0.5% soln: 5.9
Optical Rotation: [a]D17 -429° (c = 1.72); [a]D17 -121° (c = 0.9 in chloroform)
Absorption maximum: uv max (95% ethanol): 350.5, 243 nm (log e 4.22; 4.47)
Toxicity data: LD50 in rats (mg/kg): 1.6 i.v. (Rosenbloom, Ferguson); in mice (mg/kg): 4.13 i.v. (Beliles)
Use: In research in plant genetics (for doubling chromosomes).
Therap-Cat: Gout suppressant. Treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever.
Therap-Cat-Vet: Has been used as an antineoplastic.
Keywords: Antigout.