Gloriosa superba (Glory Lily)

Abstract

Gloriosa superba L. (family Colchicaceae or Lilliaceae) is a perennial tuberous climbing herb, extensively scattered in tropical parts of Asia and Africa. It is a magnificent flowering plant with a lot of splendour and conspicuous bright red and yellow blossoms. Phytochemical screening of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, and saponins. The plant is of high pharmaceutical use, possessing anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-coagulant, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, uterotonic, and anthelmintic properties. Traditional medicine practitioners have employed this plant since antiquity. Generally used to treat respiratory, skin illnesses, cardiovascular problems, leprosy, chronic ulcers, head lice, tumours, and problems with the reproductive systems. However, exceeding the authorized amount results in severe poisoning and death of patients because of the presence of a poisonous alkaloid, Colchicine, the Lilliaceae family’s biological hallmark. Colchicine is one of the seven upavishas (semi-poisonous medications) in Indian medicine, and it is said to alleviate a variety of ailments but can be fatal if misused. Ingestion of more than 10 mg of colchicines in humans is always lethal within 3 days. Other toxic chemicals identified from G. superba include gloriosine, lumicolchicine, 3-Demethyl-N-Deformyl-N-Deacetylcolchicine, and 3-Demethylcolchicine. This ubiquitous plant species has immense future promise, but further research is needed. Therefore, an attempt has been made to gather more information on botanical description, phytochemical ingredients, pharmacological investigations, applications, toxicity, propagation, and future remarks of this enigmatic species in this chapter.