FORSKOLIN: ITS THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Medicinal herbs are moving from fringe to mainstream use with a greater number of
people seeking remedies.Forskolin, is a diterpene, the main active ingredient in the
ayurvedic herb Coleus forskohliihas been used in India since prehistoric times in
ayurvedic traditional medicine.Coleus forskohliiis a perennial aromatic herb found in
subtropical regions of India, Nepal and Srilanka.Forskolin activates the enzyme
adenylatecyclase, results in increased cAMP in cells. Cyclic AMP is involved in several
biological processes, including inhibition of platelet activation, reduced release of
histamine, increased force of contraction of the heart, relaxation of the arteries and
other smooth muscles, and increased lipolysis and also cures various diseases like
asthma, eczema, psoriasis, angina, obesity,hypertension, glaucoma,acts as antimetastatic
and protect cells from UV induced damage, ageing of skin. Studies are
warranted to understand the effect of forskolin on various diseases for its utility in
therapeutics.