Coleus forskohlii is a plant that produces a root that contains a diterpene called forskolin. Forskolin is of interest nutritionally because it has metabolic effects in humans and animals that include activation of adenylate cyclase. Adenylate cyclase is important because it is an enzyme that can raise levels of cyclin AMP cAMP), which is a cellular secondary messenger that can activate a number of responses from cells when stimulated by the right ligands. However, forskolin only activates adrenergic receptor cAMP levels from the beta subclass. Because it is non-specific in this action, it has both cardiovascular and thermogenic effects. The ability to cause thermogenesis is supported by studies that show that forskolin can cause a decrease in body weight in humans. Importantly, it is able to do this without excess stimulation of the cardiovascular system. Forskolin may work in synergism with both Salacia reticulata and Sesamum indicum at reducing dietary fat absorption through reductions in the lipid digesting enzyme pancreatic lipase.
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Stohs, S. J. and Badmaev, V. 2016. A review of natural stimulant and non‐stimulant thermogenic agents. Phytotherapy Research. 30(5): 732-740
