Term: colchicine (n)
Literally meaning: “pertaining to Colchis”
Origin/Etymology: Anc Greek
Κολχίς/Colhis: in Greek mythology, the Greek name of a region in the far southeast corner of the Black Sea (present-day western Georgia), homeland of Medea and the destination of the Argonauts.
Coined/History
The autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) a bulb plant which is the plant sourse for alcaloid colchicine which was abundant in Colhis region .
Definition
Colchicine is an alkaloid (C22H25NO6) that inhibits mitosis. It is extracted from the corms or seeds of the autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale), and is used especially for its anti-gout and anti-inflammatory activities. In cytogenetics colchicine is used for arresting cells during cell division by inhibiting the polymerization of cytoskeletal tubulin.
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