Gloriosa spp. /Colchicum spp. (Colchicaceae)

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Natural products, especially medicinal plants, play substantial roles in the management of health-related problems. Before the prevalence of modern medicine, phytotherapy was the predominant form of primary health care all over the world. However, it is well known that plants can do more harm than good if not handled with care. Many serious adverse effects that can result in death have occurred due to the misuse of unidentified plants and mindless usage. Gloriosa and Colchicum species are important medicinal plants that have diverse biological effects, and they contain alkaloids such as colchicine and their derivatives as the main active principles. Plants are used for medicinal purposes in traditional systems, particularly due to their antiinflammatory, tonic, abortifacient, anthelminthic, analgesic, and laxative features. In addition to the important benefits of these two Colchicaceae plants, toxic effects due to their poisonous alkaloids have also been determined. In this study, an insight into the medicinal usage of G. superba and C. autumnale together with their toxicity in terms of case reports will be provided.