Therapeutic use of colchicine and its derivatives: a patent review

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Colchicine, the major alkaloid extracted from the meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale) is one of the most prominent natural products belonging to the class of organic compounds known as tropones. Colchicine’s medicinal properties have been long-known, but it has been attracting renewed attention due to its action as an antimitotic agent.

Areas covered: This review presents an update and analysis of the patents claiming therapeutic activity of colchicine and its derivatives published in the last five years (2010–2015). Other patents claiming the application of colchicine in the areas of biotechnology, veterinary, and agriculture are therefore excluded from this review.

Expert opinion: Rapid increase in the number of publications and patent filings in recent years for the significant therapeutic potential of colchicine, for several conditions beyond gout, clearly indicates the growing interest of research on this molecule. Although the molecular structure of colchicine fulfils the four Lipinski’s requisites for high oral bioavailability, the toxic side effects resulting from its fast metabolism need to be assessed. Further efforts are therefore required to explore the appropriate dosage and possible administration techniques of colchicine for practical use.

KEYWORDS:

• Colchicine
• gout
• concomitant administration
• secondary use
• toxicity

Article highlights

• Patent literature on use of colchicine and its derivatives as therapeutic agent since 2010 till date is reviewed.

• Recent research has indicated that besides prophylaxis and treatment of acute gout flares and FMF, medicinal use of colchicine is also extending to cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disorders and obesity.

• Use of colchicine as a second therapeutic agent or concomitantly along with other synthetic or natural active ingredients has been highlighted.

• Use of colchicine as an active constituent in polyherbal formulations based on traditional medicine system has been included.

• The current marketing status of colchicine and its derivatives is presented.

This box summarizes key points contained in the article.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.