Research

Forskolin

26 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

0
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
19
RCTs
6
Other studies
Systematic reviews (4%)
RCTs (73%)
Observational (4%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2024·European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery·Mohamed H Abdelazim, Faisal Alsenani, Mohammed Alnuhait, et al

Efficacy of forskolin as a promising therapy for chronic olfactory dysfunction post COVID-19.

RCTn = 285

A prospective randomized clinical trial with 285 participants assessed the efficacy of oral forskolin for treating chronic olfactory dysfunction post COVID-19. Participants receiving forskolin showed significant improvement in olfactory function, particularly in discrimination and identification scores, compared to placebo.

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2023·Nutrients·J. Nederveen, Alexander J. Mastrolonardo, Donald Xhuti, et al

Novel Multi-Ingredient Supplement Facilitates Weight Loss and Improves Body Composition in Overweight and Obese Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

RCTn = 55Physique Nutrition

RCT of 55 overweight and obese participants comparing a multi-ingredient supplement to placebo over 12 weeks. The supplement group showed significant reductions in weight and fat mass, along with improvements in molecular markers of liver health and metabolism.

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2018·Survey of ophthalmology·Ekaterina Loskutova, Colm O'Brien, Igor Loskutov, et al

Nutritional supplementation in the treatment of glaucoma: A systematic review.

Systematic review

Systematic review of 33 intervention trials, including 21 RCTs, on nutritional interventions for glaucoma. Flavonoids may improve ocular blood flow and slow visual field loss, while supplements containing forskolin may reduce intraocular pressure. Evidence is not conclusive, and more research is needed.

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2013·Theriogenology·B V Sanches, L S R Marinho, B D O Filho, et al

Cryosurvival and pregnancy rates after exposure of IVF-derived Bos indicus embryos to forskolin before vitrification.

RCTn = 101

The study investigated the effects of forskolin on cryosurvival and pregnancy rates of in vitro-produced Bos indicus embryos. Forskolin treatment before vitrification improved cryotolerance and resulted in higher pregnancy rates compared to control.

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2010·The Journal of international medical research·M Huerta, Z Urzúa, X Trujillo, et al

Forskolin compared with beclomethasone for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blind clinical trial.

RCTn = 60

This single-blind study compared the efficacy of oral forskolin versus inhaled beclomethasone for mild or moderately persistent adult asthma. No statistically significant improvement occurred in any lung function parameter in the forskolin-treated patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the forskolin and beclomethasone treatment groups for any lung function parameter at baseline or after treatment.

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2016·Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics·Maria Giulia Mutolo, Giuseppe Albanese, Dario Rusciano, et al

Oral Administration of Forskolin, Homotaurine, Carnosine, and Folic Acid in Patients with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: Changes in Intraocular Pressure, Pattern Electroretinogram Amplitude, and Foveal Sensitivity.

RCTn = 22

RCT of a food supplement containing forskolin, homotaurine, carnosine, folic acid, and vitamins in 22 patients with primary open angle glaucoma. The supplement led to a significant decrease in intraocular pressure and improvements in pattern electroretinogram amplitude and foveal sensitivity over 12 months.

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2015·Nutrients·Hayley L Loftus, Katie J Astell, Michael L Mathai, et al

Coleus forskohlii Extract Supplementation in Conjunction with a Hypocaloric Diet Reduces the Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome in Overweight and Obese Subjects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

RCTn = 30Physique

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of Coleus forskohlii extract supplementation on metabolic parameters in overweight and obese individuals. Thirty participants were assigned to receive either 250 mg of C. forskohlii extract or a placebo twice daily for 12 weeks, alongside a hypocaloric diet. The experimental group showed significant improvements in insulin concentration and insulin resistance compared to the placebo group, suggesting potential benefits in managing metabolic risk factors.

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2013·European review for medical and pharmacological sciences·M Nebbioso, D Rusciano, B Pucci, et al

Treatment of glaucomatous patients by means of food supplement to reduce the ocular discomfort: a double blind randomized trial.

RCTn = 38

Double blind, randomized trial on 38 glaucomatous patients with dry eye from long-term use of preserved eye drops. A supplement containing forskolin, rutin, and vitamins B1 and B2 improved OPI values and dry eye symptoms compared to placebo.

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2012·Journal of ocular pharmacology and therapeutics : the official journal of the Association for Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics·Michele Vetrugno, Maurizio G Uva, Vincenzo Russo, et al

Oral administration of forskolin and rutin contributes to intraocular pressure control in primary open angle glaucoma patients under maximum tolerated medical therapy.

Case-controln = 97

Case-controlled study evaluating the effects of a food supplement containing forskolin and rutin on intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary open angle glaucoma patients under maximum tolerated medical therapy. The treatment group showed a further 10% decrease in IOP, with a more evident decrease in those with higher enrollment values, while the control group remained stable.

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2012·Panminerva medica·M Nebbioso, G Belcaro, A Librando, et al

Forskolin and rutin prevent intraocular pressure spikes after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy.

RCTn = 10

RCT evaluating the effect of oral forskolin and rutin on intraocular pressure (IOP) spikes after Nd:YAG laser iridotomy in 10 patients. Forskolin and rutin prevented significant IOP increases post-surgery, unlike placebo, suggesting a protective effect on the optic nerve.

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2006·The Journal of international medical research·R González-Sánchez, X Trujillo, B Trujillo-Hernández, et al

Forskolin versus sodium cromoglycate for prevention of asthma attacks: a single-blinded clinical trial.

RCTn = 40

Single-blinded clinical trial comparing forskolin (10 mg/day orally) to sodium cromoglycate inhalations in 40 patients with mild to moderate persistent asthma. Forskolin was more effective in preventing asthma attacks, with fewer patients experiencing attacks compared to the sodium cromoglycate group.

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2005·Obesity research·Michael P Godard, Brad A Johnson, Scott R Richmond

Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men.

RCTn = 30Physique Hormone Health

RCT of 30 overweight and obese men examining the effect of forskolin on body composition, testosterone, metabolic rate, and blood pressure over 12 weeks. Forskolin significantly decreased body fat percentage and fat mass, increased bone mass, and raised serum free testosterone levels compared to placebo.

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1995·Obesity research·F L Greenway, G A Bray, D Heber

Topical fat reduction.

RCTPhysique

A series of clinical trials tested topical fat reduction on women's thighs using isoproterenol injections and ointments containing forskolin, yohimbine, and aminophylline. Trials showed significant girth loss from treated thighs, except for yohimbine ointment, without diet or exercise.

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1997·The Journal of urology·J P Mulhall, M Daller, A M Traish, et al

Intracavernosal forskolin: role in management of vasculogenic impotence resistant to standard 3-agent pharmacotherapy.

RCTn = 31Sexual Health

The study investigated forskolin as an intracavernosal vasoactive agent for vasculogenic impotence resistant to standard pharmacotherapy. Forskolin, in combination with prostaglandin E1, showed concentration-dependent relaxation of human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and increased cAMP production. In a clinical investigation with 31 patients, 61% reported improvement in rigidity and/or erection duration with no adverse events over a mean follow-up of 14 months.

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1996·Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996)·Y Bersudsky, M Kotler, M Shifrin, et al

A preliminary study of possible psychoactive effects of intravenous forskolin in depressed and schizophrenic patients. Short communication.

RCTn = 9Mood

Preliminary study of intravenous forskolin in four depressed and five schizophrenic patients. Forskolin infusion led to transient mood elevation or stimulation in all four depressed patients and two of the five schizophrenic patients.

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1993·Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics·K Bauer, F Dietersdorfer, K Sertl, et al

Pharmacodynamic effects of inhaled dry powder formulations of fenoterol and colforsin in asthma.

RCTn = 16

RCT comparing the effects of fenoterol and colforsin (forskolin) dry powder capsules on airway response, tremor, and cardiovascular effects in 16 asthma patients. Fenoterol and colforsin both increased airway conductance, with fenoterol showing more pronounced tremor and hypokalemic effects. Colforsin resulted in measurable bronchodilatation.

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1987·Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)·R F Brubaker, K H Carlson, L J Kullerstrand, et al

Topical forskolin (colforsin) and aqueous flow in humans.

RCTn = 15

A single-dose experiment with 1% forskolin suspension was conducted on 15 normal human subjects to assess its effect on aqueous flow in the eye under different conditions. No statistically significant effects of forskolin on flow were observed, although it caused transient hyperemia in all subjects.

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1987·South African medical journal = Suid-Afrikaanse tydskrif vir geneeskunde·B H Meyer, A A Stulting, F O Müller, et al

The effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressure.

RCTn = 10

Two studies investigated the effects of forskolin eye drops on intra-ocular pressure (IOP) in healthy volunteers. The first study found no significant differences between forskolin and placebo, but a decrease in IOP was observed after both treatments. The second study showed a significant reduction in IOP with forskolin compared to placebo.

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1986·Japanese journal of ophthalmology·C Seto, S Eguchi, M Araie, et al

Acute effects of topical forskolin on aqueous humor dynamics in man.

RCTn = 20

RCT evaluating the acute effects of topical forskolin on intraocular pressure and aqueous humor dynamics in 20 young normal Japanese volunteers. Forskolin reduced intraocular pressure and aqueous flow rate, and increased iris permeability factor. Pretreatment with timolol did not significantly alter forskolin effects.

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1986·Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·G Kaik, P U Witte

[Protective effect of forskolin in acetylcholine provocation in healthy probands. Comparison of 2 doses with fenoterol and placebo].

RCTn = 12

Double-blind, cross-over RCT in 12 healthy volunteers testing forskolin's bronchodilating effect compared to fenoterol and placebo using metered dose inhalers. Forskolin showed a bronchodilating effect comparable to fenoterol initially, but fenoterol had a stronger effect after 15 and 30 minutes.

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1984·Experimental eye research·N L Burstein, M L Sears, A Mead

Aqueous flow in human eyes is reduced by forskolin, a potent adenylate cyclase activator.

RCTn = 8

RCT testing the effect of forskolin on aqueous humor flow and outflow facility in human eyes. Forskolin reduced intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous flow by an average of 34% compared to the contralateral eye, with no significant change in outflow facility.

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2012·Tissue engineering. Part A·Joyce Doorn, Ramakrishnaiah Siddappa, Clemens A van Blitterswijk, et al

Forskolin enhances in vivo bone formation by human mesenchymal stromal cells.

Animal studyJoint Bone Health

The study investigated the effects of forskolin and other PKA activators on osteogenic differentiation and bone formation by human mesenchymal stromal cells. Forskolin was found to enhance in vivo bone formation more effectively than db-cAMP, despite inhibiting cell proliferation.

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2012·Journal of postgraduate medicine·Vijay D. Wagh, P. N. Patil, S. Surana, et al

Forskolin: upcoming antiglaucoma molecule.

Review

This narrative review discusses forskolin, a diterpenoid from Coleus forskohlii, as an antiglaucoma agent. It highlights forskolin's ability to reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor inflow and its potential drug interactions and contraindications.

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1988·Molecular pharmacology·H. Joost, A. D. Habberfield, I. Simpson, et al

Activation of adenylate cyclase and inhibition of glucose transport in rat adipocytes by forskolin analogues: structural determinants for distinct sites of action.

In vitro

The study tested forskolin and its analogues for their ability to activate adenylate cyclase and inhibit glucose transport in rat adipocyte membranes. Forskolin was the most potent in activating adenylate cyclase, while all analogues inhibited glucose transport, with varying potencies.

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1987·Molecular pharmacology·A. Laurenza, Y. Khandelwal, N. J. Souza, et al

Stimulation of adenylate cyclase by water-soluble analogues of forskolin.

In vitro

The study synthesized water-soluble analogues of forskolin and tested their ability to interact with adenylate cyclase. These analogues were tested for their ability to activate rat brain adenylate cyclase, increase cyclic AMP in S49 cells, and inhibit the binding of 3H-forskolin to rat brain membranes. Water-soluble derivatives of forskolin may be useful for increasing cyclic AMP in cell preparations.

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1982·Molecular pharmacology·I. Litosch, T. Hudson, I. Mills, et al

Forskolin as an activator of cyclic AMP accumulation and lipolysis in rat adipocytes.

In vitro

The study investigates the effects of forskolin on cyclic AMP accumulation and lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes. Forskolin increased cyclic AMP production by activating adenylate cyclase and stimulated lipolysis at higher concentrations. The effects were inhibited by insulin and N6-(phenylisopropyl)adenosine, and reduced in hypothyroidism.

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