Activated charcoal significantly reduces the amount of colchicine released from Gloriosa superba in simulated gastric and intestinal media

Abstract

Background: Poisoning with Gloriosa superba, a plant containing colchicine, is common in Sri Lanka. Objectives: This study was to estimate release of colchicine from 5 g of different parts of Gloriosa superba in simulated gastric and intestinal media, and examine the binding efficacy of activated charcoal (AC) to colchicine within this model. Methods: A USP dissolution apparatus-II was used to prepare samples for analysis of colchicine using HPLC. Results: Cumulative colchicine release from tuber in gastric media at 120 minutes was significantly higher (2883 μg/g) than in intestinal media (1015 μg/g) (p <0.1 μg/ml). Conclusions: The tuber released the highest quantity of colchicine. The colchicine release and elapse time to achieve saturated, equilibrium dissolution mainly depends on physicochemical properties of plant part. Significant in vitro binding of colchicine to AC suggests that AC has a role in decontamination of patients presenting to hospital after ingestion of Gloriosa superba.