Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale

K. R. Nagesh; Ritesh G. Menezes; Prateek Rastogi; N. R. Naik; Jitesh Marian Rasquinha; S. Senthilkumaran; Abul Fazil

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008

Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale

K. R. Nagesh
, Ritesh G. Menezes^*
, Prateek Rastogi
, N. R. Naik
, Jitesh Marian Rasquinha
, S. Senthilkumaran
, Abul Fazil

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Forensic Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	285-287
Number of pages	3
Journal	Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume	18
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008
Publication status	Published - 01-08-2011

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Law

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10.1016/j.jflm.2011.04.008

Cite this

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title = "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 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.",

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AU - Nagesh, K. R.

AU - Menezes, Ritesh G.

AU - Rastogi, Prateek

AU - Naik, N. R.

AU - Rasquinha, Jitesh Marian

AU - Senthilkumaran, S.

AU - Fazil, Abul

PY - 2011/8/1

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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Suicidal plant poisoning with Colchicum autumnale

Abstract

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