An insight into the biochemical content of Colchicum autumnale L. throughout its ontogenetic cycle

Ioana-Claudia MOROȘAN; Marius MIHĂȘAN; Maria-Magdalena ZAMFIRACHE

doi:10.15835/nbha53314572

Authors

Ioana-Claudia MOROȘAN Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Faculty of Biology, 20A Carol I Blvd, Iași, 700505 (RO) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1392-1920
Marius MIHĂȘAN Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Faculty of Biology, 20A Carol I Blvd, Iași, 700505 (RO) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4439-4251
Maria-Magdalena ZAMFIRACHE Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, Faculty of Biology, 20A Carol I Blvd, Iași, 700505 (RO) https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1514-7246

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15835/nbha53314572

Keywords:

antioxidant activity, colchicine, flavonoids, polyphenols, Soxhlet

Abstract

Meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale L.) is a poisonous perennial species with an unusual ontogenetic cycle. This study investigated its biochemical composition during three key developmental phases: growth, fruiting, and flowering. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from different plant organs were analyzed using UPLC and spectrophotometry to evaluate the influence of developmental stage, extraction method, and solvent on secondary metabolite accumulation, with implications for extract potency and pharmacological properties. Colchicine and phenolic compounds were detected in all organs, though their concentrations varied with extraction technique and harvest time. Flowers contained the highest colchicine levels (0.7815 mg ml^-¹ in ethanol, 0.1227 mg ml^-¹ in water), while bulbs accumulated lower amounts that decreased from spring to autumn. In general, alcoholic extracts yielded more bioactive compounds than aqueous ones. Flowers and leaves also contained significant levels of polyphenols, with ethanol extracts showing markedly higher concentrations than water extracts. Antioxidant assays revealed strong activity in all alcoholic extracts (79.8 - 90.7 mg ml^-¹ eq. ascorbic acid), except for spring bulbs (57.2 mg ml^-¹), whereas aqueous extracts exhibited negligible antioxidant capacity (0.07 - 0.3 mg ml^-¹). These results highlight the dynamic phytochemistry of C. autumnale, demonstrating that the concentration of bioactive compounds is strongly influenced by plant organ, developmental stage, extraction method, and solvent. Such variability should be considered in future research and practical applications, including ecological studies, weed management, and standardization of extracts for medicinal use.

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