Medicinal Herbs and ADHD

LATEST PODCAST EPISODE — LISTEN NOW

Scientific Name: Coleus forskohlii

Constituents:

  • Diterpenoids (labdane type: forskolin/coleanol & deoxyforskolin)
  • Triterpenoids: lupeol, coleolic acid, oleanolic acid
  • Phytosterols (beta-sitosterol)
  • Volatile oils

Medicinal actions:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-platelet
  • Anti-viral
  • Cytotoxic
  • Hypotensive
  • Bronchodilator
  • Thermogenic agent (lipolysis stimulator & thyroid hormone release stimulator)

Mechanism of Action & Pharmacology:

  • Forskolin is responsible for virtually all pharmacological activities. Its primary mode of action is to increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cAMP-mediated functions, via activation of the enzyme adenylate cyclase.
  • The physiological and biochemical effects of raised intracellular cAMP are many and include inhibition of platelet activation, increased force of contraction of heart muscle, relaxation of smooth muscle, increased insulin secretion, increased ACTH release by the pituitary, increased thyroid function and increased lipolysis in adipocytes.
  • Forskolin increases the rate of lipolysis via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation by mechanisms independent of hormonal stimulation both in vitro and in animal models. Forskolin also directly activates hormone sensitive lipase by phosphorylation of protein kinase A, resulting in further lipolysis and release of free fatty acids.
  • Forskolin antagonizes the action of platelet-activating factor (PAF) by interfering with PAF binding to receptor sites, playing a central role in many inflammatory and allergic processes including neutrophil activation, increasing vascular permeability, smooth muscles contraction including bronchoconstriction, and reduction in coronary blood flow.
  • Forskolin also appears to have an effect on several membrane transport proteins, and inhibits glucose transport in erythrocytes, adipocytes, platelets, and other cells.

Pharmacy:

  • Capsules

Safety & Toxicity Concerns:

  • May cause gastrointestinal upset.
  • Use caution with active peptic ulcer, hypotension, bleeding disorders.
  • Avoid in pregnancy & lactation due to unknown effects.

Interactions:

  • Theoretical potentiating effects with anticoagulant and antihypertensive agents.
  • May potentiate effects of a variety of medications due to theoretical concern based on ability of forskolin to activate increased intracellular cyclic AMP in vitro.

Scientifically driven. Education focused. Healing Inspired.

Subscribe to Insights

Receive clinically driven nutrition insights you can trust.

Animated Newsletter WM

Join Our Community to Read Further

This is a premium article created for our Healthcare Practitioner readers. Create a free account to continue reading and gain full access.

Dismiss

signup-logo

WholisticMatters offers health care practitioners and nutrition enthusiasts alike the opportunity to create a free profile for access to site features like bookmarking. Enjoying an article you are reading or a video you are watching? Save it to come back to later! Sign up in seconds for continuous access to all that WholisticMatters has to offer.

WholisticMatters also offers health care practitioners who create a free user profile access to exclusive content and tools to utilize in clinical practice. Articles, tools, and downloads created specifically for practitioners to use in their office for better patient education in clinical nutrition and health. Sign up today with your email and credentials so we can confirm you as a health care practitioner, and you are free to peruse the resources unique to you and your colleagues in health.

close
mobile-signup

Create Your Account:

show-pass Please use 8 or more characters with a mix of letters, numbers & symbols
signup-logo
close

Create a free account to use our great bookmarking tool

Once your account is created, you'll be able to save and organize what matters to you!

Already have an Account? Login Here


Click 'Sign Up' above to accept Wholistic Matters's Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
close

Are you a Healthcare Professional? Sign Up For Free Access!

We'll verify your credentials and get you access to our great interactive tools.

Already have an Account? Login Here


Click 'Sign Up' above to accept Wholistic Matters's Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.