About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products

Forskolin is a diterpene derived from the root of Coleus forskohlii. It is used for a variety of conditions, including cancer, obesity, glaucoma, asthma, and heart failure. Forskolin was shown in animal studies to promote the activation of adenylate cyclase and increase intracellular concentrations of cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP) ⁽¹⁾. Small clinical trials did suggest forskolin can benefit obese men in weight management ⁽²⁾. Forskolin eye drops may reduce intra-ocular pressure ⁽³⁾ and oral forskolin capsules help reduce asthma attacks ⁽⁴⁾. When administered intravenously or inhaled, Forskolin has bronchodilation effect ^{(5) (6)}. Other studies demonstrated forskolin to have cardiovascular benefits due to its inotropic ⁽⁷⁾, antiinflammatory ⁽⁸⁾ and antiplatelet properties ⁽⁹⁾. One clinical study found intraarterial forskolin daropate to be an effective treatment for cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage ⁽¹⁰⁾. Treatment of uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC)-infected mice with forskolin resulted in reduced number of bacteria via cyclic AMP-regulated exocytosis ⁽¹¹⁾. The anticancer effects of forskolin and its derivatives have also been studied in vitro ⁽¹⁾ and in animals ⁽¹²⁾. Forskolin, when applied on the skin of mice, can stimulate the production of melanin in the absence of ultraviolet light ⁽¹²⁾. It has been proposed for use in sunless tanning lotions to reduce the risk of skin cancer by decreasing exposure to sun. In an in vitro study, an extract of forskolin was found to significantly reduce viral production in human lymphoid CEM-GFP cells infected with human immunodeficency virus (HIV-1NL4)⁽¹⁴⁾. These effects have yet to be confirmed in human studies. Patients using anticoagulants and antihypertensive medications should use forskolin with caution. Cases of acute poisoning after the consumption of Coleus forskolii products, possibly from contaminants, have been reported in Europe ⁽¹⁵⁾.