Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale

Abstract Colchicum autumnale is commonly known as autumn crocus, and as ‘gowri gedde’ in the southern region of Karnataka State in South India. It contains an alkaloid called colchicine, which blocks the cell division by inhibiting mitosis. We present a sporadic case of suicidal plant poisoning wher...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of forensic and legal medicine Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 285 - 287
Main Authors Nagesh, K.R., MD, Menezes, Ritesh G., MD, Diplomate NB, Rastogi, Prateek, MD, Naik, N.R., BSc, Rasquinha, Jitesh Marian, MD, Senthilkumaran, S., MD, Fazil, Abul, MD
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2011
Churchill Livingstone Inc., Medical Publishers
Subjects
Adult
Analytical chemistry
Cell division
Colchicine - analysis
Colchicine - poisoning
Colchicum - poisoning
Colchicum autumnale
Forensic sciences
Forensic Toxicology
Gastroenterocolitis
Humans
Male
Multiple Organ Failure - etiology
Pathology
Poisoning
South India
Suicidal plant poisoning
Suicide
Suicides & suicide attempts
Young Adult
India
Suicidal plant poisoning
Gastroenterocolitis
Colchicine poisoning
South India
Colchicum autumnale
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Summary:Abstract Colchicum autumnale is commonly known as autumn crocus, and as ‘gowri gedde’ in the southern region of Karnataka State in South India. It contains an alkaloid called colchicine, which blocks the cell division by inhibiting mitosis. We present a sporadic case of suicidal plant poisoning wherein a 24-year-old man consumed ‘gowri gedde’ to end his life. Initially he presented with severe vomiting, diarrhoea and epigastric pain. He died on the third day of ingestion due to multiorgan failure. Chemical analysis of blood and viscera obtained postmortem confirmed the presence of colchicine. Colchicine poisoning is potentially life threatening because of its high toxicity and unavailability of specific antidotal treatment. It classically presents with gastroenterocolitis, and may result in multiorgan failure in fatal cases.
ISSN:1752-928X
1878-7487
DOI:10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008