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Colchicine in Modern Medicine: A Versatile Drug with Broad Clinical Applications
This review aims to explore and consolidate the therapeutic potential of colchicine, one of the oldest yet still widely used treatments. Colchicine is an alkaloid compound known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. It has been effectively used to treat conditions such as gout, familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), and Behcet’s disease. The drug’s mechanism of action involves its interaction with tubulin, a structural component of the cytoskeleton, which disrupts neutrophil functions, including adhesion, migration, and chemotaxis. Colchicine specifically inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation, a key process for neutrophil activation, and affects neutrophil deformability, preventing their extravasation. Additionally, it suppresses the production of superoxide and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 1β and IL-6. The drug also inhibits inflammasome activity, hindering caspase-1 activation and interleukin release. Colchicine has attracted attention during the COVID-19 pandemic due to its potential to treat severe cases and reduce mortality. It is a cost-effective and widely accessible drug with a relatively safe profile. However, its metabolism can be influenced by CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein inhibitors, as well as by renal and hepatic impairments. Common side effects include gastrointestinal disturbances such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
EAMD 3
Review | Open access | 10 January 2023 | Article: 69