All about coleus forskholii

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Coleus forskholii Briq. (Syn Coleus barbatus Benth.) belonging to the family

Lamiaceae is a well known plant throughout the country and is known as

Pashanbhedi, pathatchur in Hindi and Makkadi beru or Mangana beru in Kannada. It

is one of the most potential medicinal crops of the future, as its pharmacopieal

properties have been discovered only recently. Its tuberous roots are found to

be rich source of forskolin (Syn. Coleonol) which is being developed as a drug

for hypertension, glaucoma, asthma, congestive heart failures and certain types

of cancers. In addition, forskolin is reported to have been used in the

preparation of medicines preventing hair greying and restoring grey hairs to its

normal colour. While its foliage is employed in treating intestinal disorders

and used as a condiment since a long time, It is under cultivation in parts of

Rajasthan, Maharashtra , Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

 

 

 

SOIL

 

It thrives better in porous and well drained soils with a pH ranging from 5.5

to 7. However, it does not require very fertile soils and can be economically

grown even on the soils with marginal fertility. The red sandy soils of

Karnataka are ideal for the cultivation of this crop.

 

 

 

CLIMATE

 

Coleus is a crop of tropics and found growing well at an altitude of about 2400

m under tropical and subtropical conditions. It prefers humid climate with a RH

ranging from 83 to 95 per cent and a temperature range between 10-25OC for its

successful growth. The annual rainfal in such areas ranges from 100 to 160 cm,

mainly during June to September months. It is also found to perform well in less

humid and warmer regions when grown as an irrigated crop.

 

 

 

VARIETIES

 

`Selection-K’ a nonflowering type, has been found good under Karnataka

conditons.

 

 

 

 

 

CULTIVATION

 

Propagation

 

 

 

Coleus can be propagated by seeds as well as by stem cuttings. For commercial

plantings the crop is propagated through terminal cuttings. For this purpose

about 10-12 cm long cuttings comprising 3-4 pairs of leaves are preferred. Such

cuttings are planted in well prepared nursery beds under shade and regular care

about watering is taken. As there is no problem in rooting they establish well

in nursery. After about a month’s time when the cutting were produced sufficient

roots they are ready for transplanting.

 

 

 

Planting

 

In most areas the crop is planted during June-July with the onset of South West

monsoon. Before planting, the field is ploughed deep soon after the receipt of

pre-monsoon showers and brought to fine tilth. Further, the land is divided into

plots of convenient sizes which are prepared into ridges and furrows at a

spacing of 60 cm and the rooted cuttings are planted at 30 cm apart within the

row.

 

 

 

Irrigation and interculture

 

The first irrigation is given immediately after transplanting if there are no

rains. During the first two weeks after planting, the crop is irrigated once in

three days and there after weekly irrigation is enough to obtain good growth and

yield.

 

Due to frequent irrigation during the initial stages there is a lot of

competition from weeds. In order to obtain economic yield frequent weeding

during the early growth period is desirable. Further, as the plants cover the

soil under their foliage, not much are of weeding is required.

 

 

 

PLANT PROTECTION

 

Major insects : Leaf eating caterpillar, mealy bug and

root knot nematodes

 

Major diseases: Bacterial wilt

 

 

 

Schedule

 

 

 

1. Spray the plants and drench their roots with 10 ml methyl parathion in

10 litres of water to control the insect pests.

 

 

 

2. To control the spread of wilt, spray and drench the soil adjoining the

affected plants with 0.2 per cent Captan solution immediately after the

appearance of the diseases.

 

 

 

3. To control nematodes apply carbofuron granules at the rate of 20 kg per

hectare.

 

 

 

HARVESTING AND YIELD

 

 

 

The crop is ready for harvest after about 135-150 days of planting. During the

growing period if any flowers are produced they should be nipped off to obtain

more biomass. The crop is harvested manually by uprooting the individual plants.

The tubers are separated, cleaned chopped into pieces and shade dried yielding

about 12 per cent of the dry matter and 0.44 per cent forskolin.

 

On an average, an yield of 1500 kg of dried tubers per hectare may be obtained.

However, if proper cultivation practices are applied an yield of 2500 kg of

dried tubers can be easily obtained per hectare.

 

 

About forkohlii

 

 

 

Coleus forskohlii Briq. (synonyms, C. barbatus Benth., Plectranthus forskohlii

Willd., P. barbatus Andr. and P. comosus Willemse) a member of the mint family

(fam. Lamiaceae), is indigenous to Ayurvedic Medicine.

 

 

 

This species is a perennial herb with fleshy, fibrous roots that grows wild in

the warm subtropical temperate areas in India, Burma and Thailand.

 

In India, it is cultivated for use as a condiment.

 

 

 

In recent years, Coleus forskohlii has gained recognition As the only known

plant source of the diterpene, Forskolin2.

 

 

 

Forskolin is valued as an adenylate cyclase activator.

 

 

 

Adenylate cyclase is the enzyme involved in the production of Cyclic Adenosine

Monophosphate (cAMP), (a significant biochemical agent

 

involved in metabolic processes), from the high energy molecule, ATP (Adenosine

triphosphate).

 

 

 

Nicknamed in literature as a "second messenger," cyclic AMP facilitates the

action of "primary messengers" or various hormonal and bioactive substances in

the body.

 

 

The role of cyclic AMP is indispensable to many body functions.

 

Cyclic AMP induces a chain of biochemical events that trigger metabolic

processes and diet induced thermogenesis3, thereby providing the means to

maintain a healthy body composition and lean body mass levels.

 

 

Forskolin ( 7ß-acetoxy-8,13-epoxy-1a,6bß,9a-trihydroxylabd- 14-en11-one) is a

diterpenoid compound which directly activates adenylate cyclase.

 

 

 

Forskholin

 

Other diterpenoids, deacetylforskolin, 9-deoxyforskolin, 1,9-deoxyforskolin,

1,9-dideoxy-7-deacetylforskolin, along with four minor diterpenoids have also

been reported to be present in the roots of Coleus forskohlii.

 

 

Coleus Forskholii

 

 

The basic mechanism of action of Coleus is the activation of an enzyme,

adenylate cyclase, which increases the amount of 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. The effects of raised cAMP include: inhibition of mast cell

degranulation and histamine release, inhibition of platelet activation and

degranulation, increased force of contraction of heart muscle, relaxation of the

arteries and other smooth muscles, increased insulin secretion, increased

thyroid function, and increased lypolysis (fat breakdown). Note: smooth muscle

refers to the tissue found in the bronchials, GI tract, uterus, bladder and

arteries.

 

 

 

ANTI-ALLERGIC - Conditions such as eczema and asthma are characterised by a

relative decrease in cAMP in the skin and bronchial smooth muscle, respectively.

The effect of this causes mast cell degranulation and smooth muscle contraction

along with excessive levels of platelet activating factor (PAF). PAF plays a

central role in many inflammatory and allergic responses including

bronchoconstriction and reduced coronary blood flow. Most modern drugs for

allergic symptoms are designed to increase cAMP levels. Coleus achieves this

through improving enzyme activity without negative side effects.

 

 

SKIN CELL REGULATOR - Psoriasis is a common skin disorder believed to be caused

by a decrease in cAMP in relation to another cell-regulating substance, cyclic

guanine monophosphate (cGMP). The result of this is a dramatic increase in cell

division (1000 times the normal level). Studies have indicated that Coleus may

be very useful for psoriasis sufferers because of its balancing effect on cAMP

and cGMP.

 

 

CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT - One of the most beneficial aspects of Coleus appears to

be relating to its use in conditions such as hypertension, congestive heart

failure, and angina. Coleus has been shown to reduce blood pressure along with

improving the contractility of the heart. This improvement in function appears

to be mainly due to the increase in cAMP. Coleus is also noted for its effects

on reducing platelet aggregation and acting as a direct cerebral vasodilator.

 

 

WEIGHT CONTROL / HYPOTHYROIDISM - Coleus may offer benefit through regulating

lypolysis (breakdown of stored fat) and increasing thyroid hormone production

and release.

 

 

MALABSORPTION AND DIGESTIVE DISORDERS - Coleus stimulates digestive secretions

i.e. HCL, pepsin, amylase and pancreatic enzymes. Coleus has also demonstrated

effects in improving nutrient absorption in the small intestine as well as

improving the release of salivary amylase (helpful in cases of dry mouth).

 

 

Dosage

50mg two to three times daily, standardised to contain 10 percent forskolin.

 

 

 

Potential applications

Eczema / Psoriasis, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, allergic

conditions, glaucoma, weight control, IBS, dry mouth syndrome, immune

enhancement.

 

 

 

Known contraindications

Caution suggested in those with peptic ulcer or hypotension.

 

 

 

Interactions

Caution in those taking anti-coagulant, antihypertensive, and antiasthmatic

medication as it may potentiate the effects of these drugs.

 

May be particularly useful in combination with Hawthorn in some cases.

 

Nutrition Science News, 9/01 - "Although forskolin is active in the same

metabolic pathway as ephedrine, it starts further down the pathway. Forskolin

enhances adenylate cyclase, an enzyme that splits a high-energy molecule of

adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to yield cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP).

Typically, an increase in cAMP leads to activation of other enzymes, among which

is lipase. Lipase disposes of triglycerides, known as the building blocks of

fatty tissue, which has a positive effect on body composition. The net effect is

an increase in lean body mass and trimmed waistline"

 

"The breakdown of fat for fuel (lipolysis) is actually regulated by cAMP.

Forskolin has been shown to not only enhance lipolysis but it may also inhibit

fat storage from occurring. This is very good news for individuals trying to

lose bodyfat and get lean"

 

Coleus Forskholii: Bronchodilation Ayurvedic Style

 

As an Ayurvedic herb used for centuries, Coleus forskholii has been

traditionally used for respiratory disorders, painful urination, and various

heart conditions. This botanical medicine has been scientifically demonstrated

to be a rich source of biologically active compounds including a diterpene

molecule known as forskolin.

 

Forskolin has been demonstrated by many studies to potentiate and activate the

enzyme adenyl cyclase. This enzyme is the critical catalyst in the production

and conversion of magnesium mediated adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic

adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and is also antagonistic to the production of

guanyl cyclase.

 

Calcium has been shown to increase levels of guanine triphosphate and cyclic

guanine monophosphate (cGMP) (via guanyl cyclase), thus resulting in smooth

muscle tissue constriction. Studies have shown that relaxation of bronchial

smooth muscle tissue is dependent on intra-cellular cAMP production.

 

Since forskolin is not a sympathomimetic amine or central nervous system

stimulant (e.g. ephedrine and theophylline), it's mechanism of action is free of

the side-effects (e.g. tachycardia, hypertension, anorexia, etc.) common to

sympathetic agents generally prescribed.

 

Dr.Vikram