China
Africa
Explore chapters and articles related to this topic
Identification of proper herbs
Published in C. P. Khare, Evidence-based Ayurveda, 2019
C. forskohlii is the source of forskolin (0.1% on dry weight basis). In none of the other Coleus spp. (C. amboinicus, C. scutellarioides, C. coninus, C. malabaricus, and C. rotundifollius) forskolin could be detected at levels down to 1 x 10−4% on dry wt. of plant material.
Medicinal Plants in Natural Health Care as Phytopharmaceuticals
Published in Anil K. Sharma, Raj K. Keservani, Surya Prakash Gautam, Herbal Product Development, 2020
Its roots are a natural source of forskolin, the only plant-derived compound presently known to directly stimulate the enzyme adenylate cyclase and subsequently cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). It inhibits the platelet activation, release of histamine and other allergic compounds, increases force of contraction of the heart muscle and contributes to the relaxation of the arteries and other smooth muscles called vasodilation. It is very high in demand. Coleus forskohlii is a source of diterpene forskolin, derived as an active alkaloid from the roots. In traditional Ayurvedic systems of medicine, it is used for treating heart diseases, abdominal colic, respiratory disorder, insomnia, convulsions, asthma, bronchitis, intestinal disorders, burning sensation, constipation, epilepsy and angina (Kavitha et al., 2010). The roots are also used in treatment of worms and to alleviate burning in festering boils. When mixed with mustard oil, the root extract is applied to treat eczema and skin infections. The plant is also used for veterinary purposes. Forskolin is reported to be anti-glaucoma, anti-platelet, broncho-spasmolytic, cardio-tonic, hypo-tensive, anti-ageing, and anti-allergic, smooth muscle and arterial relaxant, and anti-asthmatic (Soni and Singhai, 2012). Coleus also aids in weight loss due to its ability to break down stored fat as well as inhibit the synthesis of adipose tissue. Additionally, it increases thyroid hormone production, thereby increasing metabolism. Forskolin is also used as one of the important ingredients in the preparation of medications for preventing greying of hair and restoring them to their natural colour. Though grouped as a medicinal plant, it also contains essential oil in tubers, which has very attractive and delicate odour with a spicy note. Essential oil has potential uses in the food flavouring industry and can be used as an antimicrobial agent. Forskolin is also used for the treatment of eczema, asthma, psoriasis, cardiovascular disorders and hypertension, where the decreased intracellular cAMP level is believed to be a major factor in the development of the disease process (Kanne et al., 2015). It is being developed as a drug for hypertension, glaucoma, asthma, congestive heart failures and certain types of cancers. Forskolin is in great demand in Japan and European countries for its medicinal use and related research purposes (Kavitha et al., 2010).
Alantolactone induces platelet apoptosis by activating the Akt pathway
Published in Platelets, 2023
Yueyue Sun, Mengnan Yang, Shujun Li, Ying Hu, Biao Yang, Xu Li, Rong Yan, Kesheng Dai
The connection between PKA inhibition and ALT-mediated platelet apoptosis was then elucidated. Forskolin, a well-known PKA activator, was utilized to selectively elevate PKA activity. We then examined whether the application of forskolin affects ALT-induced platelet apoptosis. As expected, forskolin dose-dependently reversed ALT-induced PKA inhibition, as indicated by the improved phosphorylation of VASP Ser157 and Bad Ser155 (Figure 5e–g). Simultaneously, forskolin markedly decreased ALT-induced platelet apoptotic events: caspase-3 activation, ΔΨm depolarization, and PS exposure (Figure 5h–j). We further verified the critical role of PKA in ALT-induced platelet apoptosis with Bad-deficient platelets (Bad-/-), which lacked the PKA substrate (Figure 5k). The results showed that ALT-induced platelet apoptosis was markedly reduced in Bad-/- murine platelets when compared to that in WT platelets (Figure 5l,m). Taken together, PKA inhibition plays a vital role in ALT-induced platelet apoptosis.
Cyclic thrombocytopenia associated with estradiol: a case report
Published in Hematology, 2023
Ningbo Pang, Yingwei Li, Kangxi Zhou, Chunliang Liu, Rong Yan, Chenglin Sun, Weiling Xiao, Changgeng Ruan, Zhimin Zhai, Kesheng Dai
To further verify E2-induced platelet clearance in vivo, we intravenously injected E2 into mice. E2 incurred platelet clearance in mice (Figure 5(A)). This finding, therefore, demonstrates the correlation of E2 with thrombocytopenia in vivo. In support of this finding, some CTP patients responded to danazol therapy [1]. Now that E2 induces platelet apoptosis through PKA inhibition, activation of PKA may rescue E2-induced platelet clearance. Firstly, to verify this hypothesis, the washed mouse platelets were pre-incubated with forskolin and E2 in vitro, then the pre-treated platelets were injected into mice. We found that forskolin protected platelets from E2-induced clearance (Figure 5(B)). Secondly, forskolin was injected into mice intraperitoneal, followed by E2 through the eye socket veins. We found that forskolin rescued E2-induced platelet clearance (Figure 5(A)). These results indicate that activation of PKA inhibits E2-induced platelet clearance in vivo, thus providing a promising therapeutic strategy for E2-related CTP.
Protective effect of Coleus forskohlii leaf-extract compound on progression of cataract against Fructose-Induced experimental cataract in rats
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2022
Pranay Soni, Surendra H. Bodakhe
Coleus forskohlii Briq. belongs to the family Lamiaceae, has been used as a traditional herbal medicines due to its several biological properties such as anti-obesity, gastroprotective, antiaging, antioxidant, anticancer, amoebicidal, broncho-dilating and anti-inflammatory activities (Hebbani Nagarajappa et al. 2016). Recently, it has identified as blood pressure reducing herb and useful in glaucoma (Foster and Johnson 2006, Murugesan et al. 2012). C. forskohlii is rich in various kinds of alkaloids especially forskolin, a biologically active compound in most of the treatments (Kamohara 2016). The association between hypertension, diabetes and cataract is well recognized and identified as a risk factor in various case-control and experimental studies (Khan et al. 2016). Interestingly, the treatment of these disorders with plant derived products have been well documented. Therefore, in this study C. forskohlii leaf-extract and high yielded fraction was used to determine its blood pressure and blood glucose lowering properties along with its effects on cataract reducing ability. An attempt was also made to characterize the active compound in the fraction.