Determination of rapid and sensitive extraction of colchicine from Colchicum baytopiorum and Colchicum decaisnei leaves by HPLC-UV method

This study focuses on the extraction and analysis of colchicine, a bioactive alkaloid, from the leaves of two endemic species, Colchicum baytopiorum (n = 13) and Colchicum decaisnei (n = 11), collected from Antalya, Türkiye. Colchicine, known for its pharmacological applications for the treatment of gout and cancer, was extracted using ultrasonic-assisted extraction, a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods like Soxhlet and solid-liquid extraction. High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the quantification of colchicine levels in the plant samples. The method was validated in terms of linear dynamic range, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ) and relative standard deviation (RSD). Results showed that LOD, LOQ and RSD values were determined to be 0.210 ppm, 0.799 ppm and 1.420, respectively. C. baytopiorum had a higher colchicine content (206.24 ± 87.48 ppm) compared to C. decaisnei (11.23 ± 23.04 ppm). These findings are consistent with previous studies, which report varying colchicine concentrations across different Colchicum species. The study suggests that genetic research could help identify the specific genes responsible for colchicine production, which could enhance its availability in pharmaceutical applications. This research contributes to understanding colchicine extraction and its potential for medical use.