Identification of colchicine in placental blood from patients using herbal medicines.
While characterizing natural antiinflammatory substances in human placental blood, we discovered a factor that affected human neutrophils and their adherence. Rigorous chemical and stereochemical analyses revealed this factor to be the well-known alkaloid, colchicine. When samples from individual patients were analyzed, significant levels (49-763 microg/L) of colchicine could be found in placental blood of patients using nonprescription herbal dietary supplements during pregnancy. We confirmed the presence of colchicine in commercially available ginkgo biloba. Due to its potential harmful effects, it would appear that such supplements should be avoided by women who are pregnant or are trying to conceive.
Petty
H R
HR
Department of Chemistry, and the Institute for Drug Design, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA. hpetty@biology.biosci.wayne.edu
Fernando
M
M
Kindzelskii
A L
AL
Zarewych
B N
BN
Ksebati
M B
MB
Hryhorczuk
L M
LM
Mobashery
S
S
D000328:Adult; D003078:Colchicine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000737:chemistry; D006074:Gout Suppressants / Q000097:blood*; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D011247:Pregnancy
D006074:Gout Suppressants; D028321:Plant Preparations; D003078:Colchicine