Pharmacological and Therapeutic Potential of Suranj?n Sh?r?n (Colchicum autumnale Linn.): A Review from Modern and Unani Perspectives

Abstract

Suranj?n Sh?r?n (Colchicum autumnale Linn.), commonly known as Meadow Saffron or Autumn Crocus, is a well-known medicinal plant in both Unani and modern medicine. Traditionally, it has been widely used in the management of arthritis, gout, and other musculoskeletal disorders. Its corm and flowers are medicinally valuable and are described in Unani literature as possessing Mushil, Musakkin-e-Alam, and Muhallil properties. Modern pharmacological studies have validated its anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, and anticancer properties, largely attributed to its active alkaloid colchicine. However, due to potential toxicity to the stomach and liver, it requires correctives (Muslih) during administration. This review aims to integrate classical Unani references with contemporary pharmacological evidence, highlighting its therapeutic potential, formulations, substitutes, and safety profile.

Keywords

Introduction

Dioscorides introduced the Latin term colchicum, derived from the district of Colchis on the eastern Black Sea coast. The plant Colchicum autumnale Linn. is referred to as Suranj?n Sh?r?n in the Unani system of medicine. It is a perennial hysteranthous geophyte belonging to the family Colchicaceae (formerly Liliaceae), commonly known as “Autumn Crocus” or “Meadow Saffron.”

Traditionally, it has been a drug of choice for arthritis in Unani medicine and is prescribed in various formulations for arthritic and joint disorders. It is valued both in polyherbal combinations and as a single drug remedy. ^(1-4)

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is a narrative review on Colchicum autumnale Linn. (Suranj?n Sh?r?n). Data were collected from classical Unani texts including Al-Q?n?n fi’l-?ibb, Al-H?w? fi’l-?ibb, Makhzan al-Adwiya, and others. Modern evidence was retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Web of Science using keywords such as Colchicum autumnale, Suranjan, colchicine, and pharmacological activity.

Inclusion criteria were original research, reviews, clinical trials, ethnopharmacological studies, and classical references related to Colchicum autumnale. Non-relevant and inaccessible articles were excluded. Data on description, Unani uses, pharmacology, and clinical efficacy were compiled and analyzed thematically to compare traditional claims with modern findings.

Habitat

Suranj?n Sh?r?n is a corm-bearing herb widely distributed in Europe, the Mediterranean region, Central Asia, Northern India (especially Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalayas, Chamba, and Murree Hills). A related species, Colchicum speciosum Stev., is reported from Badghis and Khorasan and also used in India. ^(1,5)

Vernacular Names ^(3,6,7,8,9)

Taxonomic Classification ⁽¹⁰⁾

Fig: Suranjan (Colchicum)

Morphological Description

Suranj?n Sh?r?n is a perennial herb with a scaly, brown underground corm. In autumn, it bears solitary, tubular violet flowers resembling crocuses but differentiated by six stamens. Flowers measure 7–10 cm in length and 2–4 cm in diameter, with colors ranging from pale violet to crimson or yellow.

In spring, large, glossy green leaves appear in a rosette arrangement surrounding the fruit capsule. Seeds are small (2–3 mm), brown, pitted, and odorless. The corm is fleshy white internally, contains fibrovascular bundles, and has a sharp, bitter taste. The plant is among the first to flower after snow melts. ^{(11,12,13,14,15)}

Phytochemistry

Major chemical constituents of Colchicum autumnale include:⁽⁹⁾

• Colchicine
• Colchicoside
• 3-demethylcolchicine
• Cholchamine
• Cornigerine
• Luteine, Luteidine, Collutine
• Minor components: starch, gum, sugar, resin, tannins, and water (70%)

UNANI DESCRIPTION

Hasas-e-Musta’mila (Parts Used) ^(2,6,11)

• Corm (Suranj?n)
• Flowers

Miz?j (Temperament) ^(2,6)

• Hot 2° & Dry 2° (Haar 2°, Y?bis 2°)

Af‘?l (Pharmacological Actions in Unani Medicine) ^(2,6,16)

• Mushil (Purgative)
• Q?biz (Constipative)
• Mushil-e-Balgham (Phlegmagogue)
• Musakkin-e-Alam (Analgesic)
• Muhallil (Resolvent)
• Muharrik-e-Baah (Aphrodisiac)
• Mujaffif-e-Qur?h (Desiccant of ulcers)

Istem?l (Therapeutic Uses) ^(2,6,11)

• Waja‘ al-Maf?s?il (Arthralgia/arthritis)
• Niqris (Gout)
• Irq al-Nas? (Sciatica)
• Warm-e-Balgham? (Phlegmatic swellings)
• Yaraq?n (Jaundice)
• Nuz?l al-M?? (Cataract)
• Amr?z-e-Tih?l (Diseases of spleen)
• Kirm-e-Shikam (Intestinal worms)

Miqd?r-e-Khur?k (Dose)

• 2.25–3 g ⁽¹²⁾

Muzir (Adverse Effects) and Muslih (Correctives)

• Muzir (Adverse Effects): May adversely affect stomach and liver ^(2,6,11).
• Muslih (Correctives): Kateera (Astragalus gummifer), Qand Safed (Granular sugar), Zafran (Crocus sativus), Sonth (Zingiber officinale), Filfil Siyah (Piper nigrum), Amla Murabba (Emblica officinalis) ^(6,16).

Badal (Substitutes) ^(2,6,16)

• Turbud (Operculina turpethum)
• Afteemoone Hindi (Cuscuta reflexa Roxb.)
• Kharbaq Abyaz (Veratrum viride Ait.)
• Hina / Mehndi (Lawsonia alba)
• Muqil (Commiphora mukul)
• Buzidan (Tanacetum umbelliferum)

Mashh?r Murakkab (Famous Formulations) ⁽¹⁷⁾

• Majoon Suranjan
• Habb-e-Dard-e-Maf?s?il
• Habb-e-Suranjaan

Pharmacological Actions (Modern Studies)^(18,19)

1. Anti-arthritis Activity

• Effective in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout.
• Comparable to Diclofenac sodium in anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effect.
• Clinical trials: Colchicine 0.6 mg twice daily significantly reduced gout crises; in FMF patients, it prevented arthritis flare-ups.

2. Anti-inflammatory Activity

• Zemer et al. (1991): Colchicine (1–2 mg/day) in 350 children with FMF prevented amyloidosis with minimal side effects.

3. Antioxidant Activity

• Ethanolic and chloroform extracts showed strong antioxidant potential (chloroform fraction up to 91% activity).

4. Anticancer Activity

• Lin et al. (2001): Colchicine inhibited proliferation of gastric carcinoma cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed tumor growth in nude mice.

DISCUSSION

The Unani description of Suranj?n Sh?r?n as an analgesic, resolvent, and purgative closely aligns with its modern pharmacological profile. Its primary alkaloid, colchicine, has been validated in randomized controlled trials for arthritis and gout. Unani physicians recognized its adverse effects on the gastrointestinal and hepatic systems, prescribing Muslih (correctives) such as ginger and saffron to minimize toxicity, a practice that resonates with modern dose-regulation strategies.

The wide therapeutic spectrum i.e, from arthritis and gout to cancer and oxidative stress, suggests immense potential for drug discovery. However, its narrow therapeutic index and risk of toxicity emphasize the need for standardization, safe formulations, and clinical trials bridging traditional and modern perspectives.

CONCLUSION

Suranj?n Sh?r?n (Colchicum autumnale Linn.) is a time-tested drug in Unani medicine, primarily used in arthritis and joint disorders. Its active alkaloid, colchicine, has been extensively validated for anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory efficacy. Modern studies also highlight its antioxidant and anticancer activities. Despite its potential, toxicity remains a concern, warranting cautious use with proper correctives and adherence to dose. Integration of traditional knowledge with modern pharmacological validation could provide safer, effective therapeutic applications and open avenues for new drug development.

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