EFSA Compendium of Botanicals

Draft - work in progress

Colchicum autumnale L.

Family:: Colchicaceae
Approval state:: Approved
Number of articles retrieved:: 591
Number of processed references:: 9

Compositions

Endpoint Studies

#1: Mucosal hemorrhage of intestinal tract and other digestive effects, eventual mortality, in calves #2: Necrosis, cellular degeneration and mitotic arrest in calves #3: Cellular injury to the digestive tract due to apoptosis in epithelial cells, lymphoid and hemopoietic tissues of calves #4: Digestive system effects, especially cellular degeneration, hemorrhage and apoptosis/mitotic arrest of intestinal tract in mice #5: Digestive effects, especially cellular degeneration, hemorrhage, and apoptosis/mitotic arrest of intestinal tract in guinea pigs #6: Clinical signs of depression and weakness in guinea pigs #7: Ingestion of 40 flowers led to severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting and diarrhoea. #8: Hypocellular bone marrow in human after accidental ingestion #9: Case reports of fatal poisoning in humans #10: Digestive and liver effects leading to death in humans after accidental ingestion #11: Neurologic effects leading to death in humans after accidental ingestion #12: Renal failure in humans after accidental ingestion #13: Cardiovascular effects leading to death in humans after accidental ingestion #14: Gastrointestinal symptoms progressing to organ failure on consumption of plant juice.. #15: Lethal dose in horses

Genotoxicity

Composition #1: Yamada, M., Kobayashi, Y., Furuoka, H., Matsui, T. Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse: Enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse . journal of veterinary medical science, 2000, vol. 62, no. 8, p. 809–813. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.62.809. [DOI link]

Language:

English (en)
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Additional extraction description:

unspecified
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Additional substance description:

colchicine
Analytical method code:

High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)/Liquid Chromatography (LC) (F018A)
Result unit:

Percent (G138A)
Result type:

Numerical Value (VAL)
Value (concentration, content):

0.04
Internal remarks:

Colchicine (bulbs)

Endpoint study #1: Yamada, M., Nakagawa, M., Haritani, M., Kobayashi, M., Furuoka, H., Matsui, T. Histopathological study of experimental acute poisoning of cattle by autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) . journal of veterinary medical science, 1998, vol. 60, no. 8, p. 949–952. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.60.949. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Animal (target species) health
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Drying (dehydration) (A07KG)
Additional plant/substance description:

Nine of the cows were dosed with dehydrated bulb powder (4 g/kg bw). 2 cows received crude (not dried) bulb (12 g/kg bw) instead
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Cattle (as animal) (A057E)
Strain of test organism:

Holstein (CHD019ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: FEED (OECD2230PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

11
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

4-12
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Diarrhea with hemorrhage, hemorrhagic areas of mucosa of intestinal tract and forestomach
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Mucosal hemorrhage of intestinal tract and other digestive effects, eventual mortality, in calves

Endpoint study #2: Yamada, M., Nakagawa, M., Haritani, M., Kobayashi, M., Furuoka, H., Matsui, T. Histopathological study of experimental acute poisoning of cattle by autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) . journal of veterinary medical science, 1998, vol. 60, no. 8, p. 949–952. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.60.949. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Animal (target species) health
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Drying (dehydration) (A07KG)
Additional plant/substance description:

Nine of the cows were dosed with dehydrated bulb powder (4 g/kg bw). 2 cows received crude (not dried) bulb (12 g/kg bw) instead
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Cattle (as animal) (A057E)
Strain of test organism:

Holstein (CHD019ST)
Sex:

Male/Female
Route of exposure:

ORAL: FEED (OECD2230PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

11
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

4-12
Critical effect:

SYSTEMIC (TOX01A)
Effect description:

Necrosis, cellular degeneration and mitotic arrest observed in many tissues, most notably: hepatocytes, kidney and cardiac tubular epithelials, spleen, lymph nodes, epithelial mucosa of digestive tract.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

histopathology non neoplastic (CHD025BE)
Internal remarks:

Necrosis, cellular degeneration and mitotic arrest in calves

Endpoint study #3: Yamada, M., Matsui, T., Kobayashi, Y., Furuoka, H., Haritani, M., Kobayashi, M., Nakagawa, M. Supplementary report on experimental autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) poisoning in cattle: Morphological evidence of apoptosis . journal of veterinary medical science, 1999, vol. 61, no. 7, p. 823–825. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.61.823. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Animal (target species) health
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Drying (dehydration) (A07KG)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Cattle (as animal) (A057E)
Strain of test organism:

Holstein (CHD019ST)
Route of exposure:

ORAL: FEED (OECD2230PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

4
Control groups used:

yes
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

4
Critical effect:

HEMOPOIETIC (TOX10A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Cellular injury to the digestive tract due to apoptosis in epithelial cells, lymphoid and hemopoietic tissues of calves
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

histopathology non neoplastic (CHD025BE)
Internal remarks:

Cellular injury to the digestive tract due to apoptosis in epithelial cells, lymphoid and hemopoietic tissues of calves

Endpoint study #4: Yamada, M., Kobayashi, Y., Furuoka, H., Matsui, T. Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse: Enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse . journal of veterinary medical science, 2000, vol. 62, no. 8, p. 809–813. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.62.809. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Raw, no heat treatment (A07HS)
Additional plant/substance description:

Bulbs were pounded before administration
Type of toxicological test:

acute toxicity (CHD016TT)
Tested organism:

House mouse (as animal) (A0CNT)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: GAVAGE (OECD2231PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

8
Control groups used:

yes, concurrent vehicle
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

10
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Hemorrhage and congestion of serosal membrane of intestinal tract, and cellular destruction/mitotic arrest of alimentary epithelium
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

histopathology non neoplastic (CHD025BE)
Internal remarks:

Digestive system effects, especially cellular degeneration, hemorrhage and apoptosis/mitotic arrest of intestinal tract in mice

Endpoint study #5: Yamada, M., Kobayashi, Y., Furuoka, H., Matsui, T. Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse: Enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse . journal of veterinary medical science, 2000, vol. 62, no. 8, p. 809–813. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.62.809. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Raw, no heat treatment (A07HS)
Additional plant/substance description:

Bulbs were pounded before administration
Type of toxicological test:

acute toxicity (CHD016TT)
Tested organism:

Guinea pig (as animal) (A0CTN)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: GAVAGE (OECD2231PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

8
Control groups used:

yes, concurrent vehicle
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

10
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Diarrhea, hemorrhage and congestion of serosal membrane of intestinal tract, villous atrophy and cellular destruction/mitotic arrest of alimentary epithelium, apoptotic and mitotic arrest in crypt epithelium
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

histopathology non neoplastic (CHD025BE)
Internal remarks:

Digestive effects, especially cellular degeneration, hemorrhage, and apoptosis/mitotic arrest of intestinal tract in guinea pigs

Endpoint study #6: Yamada, M., Kobayashi, Y., Furuoka, H., Matsui, T. Comparison of enterotoxicity between autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale L.) and colchicine in the guinea pig and mouse: Enterotoxicity in the guinea pig differs from that in the mouse . journal of veterinary medical science, 2000, vol. 62, no. 8, p. 809–813. DOI: 10.1292/jvms.62.809. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Bulb / clove (as part-nature) (A067A)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Raw, no heat treatment (A07HS)
Additional plant/substance description:

Bulbs were pounded before administration
Type of toxicological test:

acute toxicity (CHD016TT)
Tested organism:

Guinea pig (as animal) (A0CTN)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: GAVAGE (OECD2231PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

8
Control groups used:

yes, concurrent vehicle
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Grams per kilogram body weight (G226A)
Effect concentration:

10
Critical effect:

NEUROTOXICITY (TOX04A)
Target tissue:

Neurologic (TT004A)
Effect description:

Clinical signs of depression and weakness
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

behaviour (CHD001BE)
Internal remarks:

Clinical signs of depression and weakness in guinea pigs

Endpoint study #7: Danel, VC., Wiart, JFD., Hardy, GA., Vincent, FH., Houdret, NMP. Self-poisoning with Colchicum autumnale L. flowers. journal of toxicology-clinical toxicology, 2001, vol. 39, no. 4, p. 409–411. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Flower (as part-nature) (A067B)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Fresh (A166Y)
Additional plant/substance description:

the patient ingested 40 flowers
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Male
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose level (CHD014EP)
Concentration unit:

Unit (G005A)
Effect concentration:

40
Critical effect:

Digestive (TOX18A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Ingestion of 40 flowers led to severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting and diarrhoea.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

food efficiency (CHD021BE)
Internal remarks:

Ingestion of 40 flowers led to severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting and diarrhoea.

Endpoint study #8: Brncic, N., Viskovic, I., Peric, R., Dirlic, A., Vitezic, D., Cuculic, D. Accidental plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale: Report of two cases. croatian medical journal, 2001, vol. 42, no. 6, p. 673–675. .

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Unspecified (A07XD)
Preparation/Extraction method:

Raw, no heat treatment (A07HS)
Additional plant/substance description:

eaten as salad, accidental
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Male
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

HEMOPOIETIC (TOX10A)
Target tissue:

Cardiovascular / Haematological (TT001A)
Effect description:

Hypocellular bone marrow (observed on autopsy)
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Hypocellular bone marrow in human after accidental ingestion

Endpoint study #9: Finkelstein, Yaron., Aks, Steven E., Hutson, Janine R., Juurlink, David N., Nguyen, Patricia., Dubnov-Raz, Gal., Pollak, Uri., Koren, Gideon., Bentur, Yedidia. Colchicine poisoning: the dark side of an ancient drug. clinical toxicology, 2010, vol. 48, no. 5, p. 407–414. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2010.495348. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Leaves (as part-nature) (A0EKT)
Additional plant/substance description:

case reports of poisoning resulting from accidental consumption of leaves
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

No data
Control groups used:

no data
Endpoint measured:

Amount of drug required to induce mortality (CHD076EP)
Concentration unit:

Milligram (G155A)
Effect concentration:

7-26
Critical effect:

SYSTEMIC (TOX01A)
Effect description:

Effects include gastrointestinal symptoms to multi organ failure to mortality (lowest lethal doses of oral colchicine range from 7 to 26 mg)
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Case reports of fatal poisoning in humans

Endpoint study #10: Fuchs, Joan., Rauber-Luethy, Christine., Kupferschmidt, Hugo., Kupper, Jacqueline., Kullak-Ublick, Gerd-Achim., Ceschi, Alessandro. Acute plant poisoning: Analysis of clinical features and circumstances of exposure . clinical toxicology, 2011, vol. 49, no. 7, p. 671–680. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2011.597034. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Unspecified (A07XD)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

No data
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

HEPATOTOXICITY (TOX02A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Vomiting, diarrhea, hepatic failure
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Digestive and liver effects leading to death in humans after accidental ingestion

Endpoint study #11: Fuchs, Joan., Rauber-Luethy, Christine., Kupferschmidt, Hugo., Kupper, Jacqueline., Kullak-Ublick, Gerd-Achim., Ceschi, Alessandro. Acute plant poisoning: Analysis of clinical features and circumstances of exposure . clinical toxicology, 2011, vol. 49, no. 7, p. 671–680. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2011.597034. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Unspecified (A07XD)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

No data
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

NEUROTOXICITY (TOX04A)
Target tissue:

neurologic: Brain (TT034A)
Effect description:

Cerebral edema and seizures
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Neurologic effects leading to death in humans after accidental ingestion

Endpoint study #12: Fuchs, Joan., Rauber-Luethy, Christine., Kupferschmidt, Hugo., Kupper, Jacqueline., Kullak-Ublick, Gerd-Achim., Ceschi, Alessandro. Acute plant poisoning: Analysis of clinical features and circumstances of exposure . clinical toxicology, 2011, vol. 49, no. 7, p. 671–680. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2011.597034. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Unspecified (A07XD)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

No data
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

NEPHROTOXICITY (TOX03A)
Target tissue:

urogenital: Kidneys (TT046A)
Effect description:

Renal failure
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Renal failure in humans after accidental ingestion

Endpoint study #13: Fuchs, Joan., Rauber-Luethy, Christine., Kupferschmidt, Hugo., Kupper, Jacqueline., Kullak-Ublick, Gerd-Achim., Ceschi, Alessandro. Acute plant poisoning: Analysis of clinical features and circumstances of exposure . clinical toxicology, 2011, vol. 49, no. 7, p. 671–680. DOI: 10.3109/15563650.2011.597034. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Unspecified (A07XD)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

No data
Route of exposure:

ORAL: UNSPECIFIED (OECD2234PL)
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

PULMONARY AND CARDIAC (TOX08A)
Target tissue:

cardiovascular / haematological: Blood Coagulation (TT010A)
Effect description:

Cardiovascular effects including: coagulopathy, arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, necrosis of heart muscle, respiratory failure
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Cardiovascular effects leading to death in humans after accidental ingestion

Endpoint study #14: Galland-Decker, Coralie., Charmoy, Alexia., Jolliet, Philippe., Spertini, Olivier., Hugli, Olivier., Pantet, Olivier. PROGRESSIVE ORGAN FAILURE AFTER INGESTION OF WILD GARLIC JUICE. journal of emergency medicine, 2016, vol. 50, no. 1, p. 55–60. DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2015.06.034. [DOI link]

Study relevance:

Human health
Plant part:

Live plants (as part-nature) (A0BA0)
Additional plant/substance description:

consumed as juice
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Human (as organism) (A056J)
Sex:

Female
Number of organisms dosed:

1
Control groups used:

no
Endpoint measured:

Dose not reported (CHD066EP)
Critical effect:

SYSTEMIC (TOX01A)
Target tissue:

Digestive (TT002A)
Effect description:

Gastrointestinal symptoms progressing to agranulocytosis, paraparesis, and delirium. Rhabdomyolysis, coagulopathy, alteration of liver tests, and prerenal azotemia. Patient recovered after 8 weeks intensive treatment.
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

gross pathology (CHD022BE)
Internal remarks:

Gastrointestinal symptoms progressing to organ failure on consumption of plant juice..

Endpoint study #15: Fezer Gabor., Toth Balazs. The intoxication of equidae (horses) with colchicines. magyar allatorvosok lapja, 2016, vol. 138, no. 12, p. 707–712. .

Study relevance:

Animal (target species) health
Substance:

Colchicin (RF-00000506-VET)
Plant part:

Aerial part of plants (as part-nature) (A166F)
Type of toxicological test:

case report (CHD060TT)
Tested organism:

Horse (as animal) (A0B9Z)
Sex:

No data
Control groups used:

no data
Endpoint measured:

Amount of drug required to induce mortality (CHD076EP)
Concentration unit:

Gram (G148A)
Effect concentration:

1200-3000
Effect description:

Lethal dose in horses
Effect or parameter linked to the endpoint:

mortality (CHD010BE)
Internal remarks:

Lethal dose in horses