Colchicine is a medication most commonly used to treat gout. Colchicine inhibits microtubule polymerization by binding to tubulin, one of the main constituents of microtubules. Availability of tubulin is essential to mitosis, so colchicine effectively functions as a "mitotic poison" or spindle poison. The mitosis-inhibiting function of colchicine has been of great use in the study of cellular genetics. To see the chromosomes of a cell under a light microscope, it is important that they be viewed near the point in the cell cycle in which they are most dense. This occurs near the middle of mitosis (specifically metaphase), so mitosis must be stopped before it completes.
Properties:
Appearance & Physical: State yellow powder
Density: 1.32 g/cm3
Melting Point: 150-160ºC
Flash Point: 392.9ºC
Refractive Index: 1.584
Water Solubility: 45 g/L (20 ºC)
Stability: Stable. Light sensitive. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.
Storage Condition: Poison room