Forskolin

The medicinal plant Coleus forskohlii is the source of the compound forskolin which possesses unique biological activity. The basic action of forskolin is the activation of an enzyme, adenylate cyclase, which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in cells. Cyclic AMP is perhaps the most important cell-regulating compound. Once formed it activates many other enzymes involved in diverse cellular functions.