Autumn Crocus (Colchicum autumnale) contains the active compound colchicine, which has a long history of use in the treatment of gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis. The use of colchicine for gout dates back to ancient times, but its efficacy is well-established in modern medicine through clinical trials and widespread medical consensus. Colchicine works by inhibiting microtubule polymerization, which interrupts inflammatory processes and reduces the migration of neutrophils to inflamed areas, thereby alleviating symptoms of gout attacks. It is considered a standard therapy for acute gout flares and is also used in lower doses for gout prophylaxis.

However, colchicine is not widely used for other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, as studies have not shown significant benefits in these conditions. Its use is mainly limited to gout and sometimes other autoinflammatory diseases like familial Mediterranean fever. The evidence supporting colchicine's effectiveness in gout is robust, with multiple randomized controlled trials and guideline recommendations from rheumatology societies. It should be noted that colchicine has a narrow therapeutic window and can be toxic at higher doses; thus, its use must be carefully managed.