C. Forskohlii extract

has great benefits in weight management through fat metabolism.

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WHAT

Botanical name : Coleus forskohlii Briq.
Family : Lamiaceae
Common Name : Coleus
Part used : Root

C. Forskohlii is a fleshy perennial aromatic herb with fibrous roots. The rootstock is used in Ayurveda and other systems of medicine for several ailments. Coleus roots are exclusive source of Forskolin, commonly known as fat burning molecule. Forskolin standardized (10, 20, 40 & 98%) C. Forskohlii extract has great benefits in weight management through fat metabolism.

Phytochemistry

Coleus is rich source of secondary metabolites such as terpenoids, alkaloids and isoflavanoids.[1,2] Forskolin the major diterpenoid, is known worldwide as fat burning molecule. Forskolin upregulates cyclic 3?,5?-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentration.[3] Root extracts contain other diterpenoids viz., 9-deoxyforskolin, 1, 9-dideoxyforskolin, 1,9 dideoxy-7-deacetylforskolin, 7-deacetyl-1-deoxyforskolin, Forskolin I, Forskolin J and Forskolin L etc.[4]

Clinical indication

C. Forskohlii has a rich diversity of ethnopharmacological applications including weight management, heart ailments and hypotension. Coleus is known to be used as a condiment in some part of India. Forskolin and its derivatives inhibit platelet aggregation, mast cell degranulation, relaxes arteries, regulates insulin secretion and thyroid function, decrease adipose accumulation, reduce body weight and stimulate digestive enzymes secretion. It is used in skin care, treatment of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases etc.[5] Dr. Shivaprasad from R&D Centre, Olive Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd. reported that administration of coleus extract significantly decreased food intake and weight gain associated with cafeteria diet.[6]

Recommended dose

Instead of consuming 6-12 grams of dried C. Forskohlii roots per day, it is better to stick with Forskolin standardized supplement. A typical dose is 50mg (9 mg forskolin) standardized product (18%) Forskolin; 2-3 times a day. This supplement showed synergistic effect with various helper phytochemicals that improve Forskolin's efficacy and absorption than its pure form.

References

Jagtap et al. 2011. Clinical efficacy of Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. (Makandi) in hypertension of geriatric population. Ayu. 32:59-65

Uma Maheswari et al. 2011. Hairy root culture of an important medicinal plant: Coleus forskohlii. Int J of Agri Sci 3:82-89

Yokotani et al. 2013. Influence of dietary macronutrients on induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes by Coleus forskohlii extract in mice. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol. 59:37-44
Alasbahi & Melzig 2010. Plectranthus barbatus: A review of phytochemistry, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacology – part 1. Planta Med. 76: 653–661
Murugesan et al. 2012. Bioactivity of root hexane extract of Coleus forskohlii Briq. Labiatae : GC/MS/MS Characterization and identification. Eur J Exp Biol. 2:1469-1473
Shivaprasad et al. 2014. Effect of Coleus forskohlii extract on cafeteria diet-induced obesity in rats. Phcog Res 6:42-45
Duke JA (2000) The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook: Your comprehensive reference to the best herbs for healing. Rodale, PA, USA pp 80-81