Estimation of colchicine in six different species of<i>Gloriosa</i>grown<i>in vivo</i>

Abstract

Three different methods for extraction of colchicine have been studied, and it was found that extraction with petroleum ether and chloroform was the best and most reliable method. The amount of colchicine in six different species of Gloriosa , viz., Gloriosa superba, Gloriosa rothchildiana, Gloriosa planti, Gloriosa lutea, Gloriosa casuariana and Gloriosa vuchuria , has been determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Of the six different species of Gloriosa considered for this study, Gloriosa planti exhibited the highest level of colchicines, followed by Gloriosa lutea, Gloriosa casuariana and Gloriosa superba . The relatively high colchicine content in the above-mentioned species of Gloriosa , these could be recommended as substitute plants for Colchicum for the alkaloid colchicine.