*, K.R. Nagesh and Menezes, Ritesh G. and Rastogi, Prateek and Naik, N.R. and *, Jitesh Marian Rasquinha and *, S. Senthilkumaran and *, Abul Fazil (2011) Suicidal Plant Poisoning with Colchicum Autumnale. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, 18 (6). pp. 285-287.

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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.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Colchicine poisoning Colchicum autumnale Gastroenterocolitis Suicidal plant poisoning South India
Subjects:	Medicine > KMC Mangalore > Anaesthesiology Medicine > KMC Mangalore > Forensic Medicine Medicine > KMC Mangalore > Medicine
Depositing User:	KMCMLR User
Date Deposited:	02 May 2012 11:23
Last Modified:	02 May 2012 11:23
URI:	http://eprints.manipal.edu/id/eprint/76366

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