The isolation, purification and complete characterization of the diterpene forskolin from nutritional supplements.

Forskolin (1) is a diterpene found in the Coleus forskohlii plant that has been examined for its medical properties resulting from adenylyl cyclase activation. This article describes a straightforward purification method of 1 from commercially available weight loss capsules. In addition, there has been some ambiguity with respect to the use of the name 'forskolin' to describe 1 and related diterpenes, which this report serves to eliminate. Herein we detail the complete spectroscopic characterization of purified 1 as well as its single crystal X-ray structure.

Potential benefits of triethylamine as n-electron donor in the estimation of forskolin by electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy.

Diterpenoid forskolin was isolated from Coleus forskolii. The electronic absorption and emission studies of forskolin were investigated in various solvents with an aim to improve its detection limits. The two chromophores present in the diterpenoid are not conjugated leading to the poor absorption and emission of UV light. The absorption and fluorescence spectra were solvent specific. In the presence of a monodentate ligand, triethylamine the detection of forskolin is improved by 3.63 times in ethanol with the fluorescence method and 3.36 times in DMSO by the absorption spectral method. The longer wavelength absorption maximum is blue shifted while the lower energy fluorescence maximum is red shifted in the presence of triethylamine. From the wavelength of fluorescence maxima of the exciplex formed between excited forskolin and triethylamine it is concluded that the order of reactivity of hydroxyl groups in the excited state forskolin is in the reverse order to that of the order of the reactivity of hydroxyl groups in its ground state.

Forskolin: genotoxicity assessment in Allium cepa.

Forskolin, a diterpene, 7ß-acetoxy-8,13-epoxy-1α,6ß,9α-trihydroxy-labd-14-en-11-one (C22H34O7) isolated from Coleus forskohlii, exerts multiple physiological effects by stimulating the enzyme adenylate cyclase and increasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations. Forskolin is used in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, eczema, and other diseases. A cytogenetic assay was performed in Allium cepa to assess possible genotoxic effects of forskolin. Forskolin was tested at concentrations 5-100 µM for exposure periods of 24 or 48 h. Treated samples showed significant reductions in mitotic index (p < 0.05) and increases in the frequency of chromosome aberrations (p < 0.01) at both exposure times. The treated meristems showed chromosome aberrations including sticky metaphases, sticky anaphases, laggard, anaphase bridges, micronuclei, polyploidy, fragments, breaks, and C-mitosis. Forskolin may cause genotoxic effects and further toxicological evaluations should be conducted to ensure its safety.

[In vitro metabolism of forscolin isolated from Coleus forskohlii].

This paper is to report the study of the metabolism of forscolin in plasma and liver microsomes for guiding clinical therapy. Forscolin was quantified by HPLC-MS/MS. The metabolic stability of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human plasma and liver microsomes, mediated enzymes of forscolin and its inhibition on cytochrome P450 isoforms in human liver microsomes were studied. Results showed that forscolin was not metabolized in plasma of the four species but metabolized in liver microsomes of the four species. The t1/2 of forscolin in rat, Beagle dog, monkey and human liver microsomes were (52.0 +/- 15.0), (51.2 +/- 5.9), (6.0 +/- 0.2) and (11.9 +/- 1.8) min; CL(int) were (75.6 +/- 18.7), (60.9 +/- 6.8), (513.8 +/- 14.3) and (176.2 +/- 25.6) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1); CL were (34.8 +/- 4.5), (23.3 +/- 1.0), (40.3 +/- 0.5) and (17.9 +/- 0.3) mL x min(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. Forscolin was metabolized by CYP3A4 in human liver microsomes. There was definite inhibition on CYP3A4 at the concentrations of forscolin between 0.1 ng x mL(-1) and 5 microg x mL(-1). Therefore, forscolin is rapidly excreted from liver microsomes. Attention should be paid to the drug interaction when forscolin was used along with other drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 in clinics.

Phenotypic screening with oleaginous microalgae reveals modulators of lipid productivity.

Here we describe the first phenotypic screening with microalgae to study lipid metabolism and to discover organic small molecules as chemical triggers that increase growth and lipid production. A microplate assay has been developed for analysis of intracellular lipids using Nile Red fluorescence in order to screen a collection of diverse bioactive organic molecules (e.g., kinase inhibitors) with four strains of oleaginous microalgae (Nannochloropsis salina, Nannochloropsis oculata, Nannochloris sp., and Phaeodactylum tricornutum). Several small molecules identified in microplate screening increased lipid productivity >200% without decreasing growth and biomass production. Selected compounds were further investigated in the context of larger batch culture experiments (e.g., 500 mL) and demonstrated to increase lipid levels (up to 84%) while maintaining or increasing the specific growth rate. Bioactive molecules such as forskolin and quinacrine were identified as promising probes of microalgae lipid pathways. We have also determined that common antioxidants such as epigallocatechin gallate and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) increase lipid productivity and may represent new probes of oxidative signaling pathways for photooxidative protection.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Coleus forskohlii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents in the aerial parts of Coleus forskohlii. METHODS: The compounds were isolated by various column chromatographic methods, and their structures were identified by spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as chamaecydin (1), 6 alpha-hydroxydemethylcryptojaponol (2), alpha-cedrene (3), oleanolic acid (4), forskolin G (5), forskolin J (6), 1,6-diacetyl-9-deoxyforskolin (7), forskolin A (8), forskolin H (9), 6-acetyl-1-deoxyforskolin (10), betulinic acid (11), beta-sitosterol (12). CONCLUSION: Compounds 1 - 3 are isolated from Coleus genus for the first time, and compound 4 is isolated from C. forskohlii for the first time.

Anti-HIV diterpenes from Coleus forskohlii.

Various extracts of the aerial parts of Coleus forskohlii (Labiatae) were prepared and evaluated at their non cytotoxic concentration against HIV-1 NL4-3. Chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts showed 45.6, 66.5 and 37.7% inhibition of HIV, respectively in CEM-GFP cells infected with HIV-1(NL4-3) at 5 microg/mL. Four diterpenes, 1-deoxyforskolin, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, forskolin and isoforskolin were isolated from the chloroform extract and tested against the virus. Six semi-synthetic derivatives of forskolin have been prepared to study SAR. 1-Deoxyforskolin and forskolin were found to be active against HIV(NL4-3). This is first report of anti HIV activity of this plant and its isolated constituents.

Identification of a forskolin-like molecule in human renal cysts.

Renal cyst enlargement is increased by adenosine cAMP, which is produced within mural epithelial cells. In a search for modulators of cAMP synthesis cyst fluids from 18 patients with autosomal dominant or recessive polycystic kidney disease (PKD) were analyzed, and in 15 of them, a stable lipophilic molecule that increased cAMP levels, stimulated transepithelial chloride and fluid secretion, and promoted the proliferation of human cyst epithelial cells was characterized. With the use of HPLC-mass spectrometry, a bioactive lipid with the same mass spectral fingerprint, the same chromatographic retention time, and the same biologic properties as forskolin, a widely known, potent adenylyl cyclase agonist, has been isolated and identified within the cyst fluid. Forskolin is synthesized by the plant Coleus forskohlii, but its appearance or compounds like it have not been reported in animals. The origin of forskolin in patients with PKD was not revealed by this study. Synthesis by mural cyst epithelial cells or an exogenous source are the most likely possibilities. Forskolin is sold for weight management and as a cardiovascular tonic in health stores and through the Worldwide Web. It is concluded that forskolin may have a role in promoting the enlargement of cysts in autosomal dominant PKD and recommended that patients avoid oral and parenteral preparations that contain this compound.

Three new diterpenoids from Coleus forskohlii Briq.

Three new diterpenoids, forskolin G(2), forskolin H(3), forskolin I(4), were isolated from the whole plant of the Coleus forskohlii Briq., and their structures were elucidated as 1alpha,6beta-diacetoxy-8,13-epoxylabd-14-en-11-one, 1alpha-hydroxy-6beta,7beta-diacetoxy-8,13-epoxylabd-14-en-11-one, and 1alpha,9alpha-dihydroxy-6beta,7alpha-diacetoxy-8,13-epoxylabd-14-en-11-one on the basis of spectral data.

Simple and rapid method for the isolation of forskolin from Coleus forskohlii by charcoal column chromatography.

A simple, safe, rapid and economical method was developed for the isolation of high-purity forskolin from Coleus forskohlii roots using activated charcoal as an adsorbent in a column. The elution was carried out under reduced pressure to make the process rapid. Activated charcoal acted as a reversed phase adsorbent and allowed elution of forskolin without much impurities. The residue, obtained from the eluate was purified and crystallized using different solvent mixtures to obtain pure forskolin. The forskolin isolated was analyzed and characterized by UV, IR, RP-HPLC, electrospray ionization MS, 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The yield was 0.097% w/w (RSD 5.6%). The purity was 96.9% w/w (RSD 0.3%) as determined by RP-HPLC. The present method enables researchers to produce high-purity forskolin in their labs by using common chemicals.

Colforsin analogues: tritiation and characterization.

Methods are presented to tritiate and characterize colforsin analogues 2 and 3.

Characterization of the 5'-flanking and 5'-untranslated regions of the cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate-responsive human type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase gene.

The type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) catalyzes T4 activation. In humans, unlike rodents, it is widely expressed, and its action probably contributes to both intracellular and plasma T3 pools. We have isolated the 6.5-kb 5'-flanking region (FR) and the previously uncloned 553 nucleotides (nt) of the 5'-untranslated region (UTR) of hdio2. The 5'-UTR is complex, with three transcription start sites (TSS) (708, 31, and approximately 24 nt 5' to the ATG), an alternatively spliced approximately 300-nt intron in the 5'-UTR, and three short open reading frames 5' to the initiator ATG. The previously reported approximately 7.5-kb D2 messenger RNA (mRNA) is actually an approximately 7-kb doublet that is present in thyroid, pituitary, cardiac and skeletal muscle, and possibly brain, but with only the longer transcript in placenta. A canonical cAMP response element-binding protein-binding site is present at about 90 bp 5' to the most 5'-TSS. It accounts for the robust response of the 6.8-kb hdio2 5'-FR to protein kinase A. Forskolin increases D2 mRNA in human thyroid cells, which may explain the high D2 mRNA in Graves' thyroid and thyroid adenomas. The hdio2 gene structure and Northern blot results suggest that D2 expression is tightly controlled and tissue specific.

Rapid analysis of small samples containing forskolin using monoclonal antibodies.

The effective range of the competitive ELISA test for detection of forskolin content in clonally propagated plant organs of Coleus forskohlii using monoclonal antibodies extends from 5ng to 5 micrograms. A correlation between the forskolin accumulation and the growth rate was investigated using the clonally propagated shoots. An increase of forskolin content was noted, beginning at week 6. Flowers, rachises, leaves, stems, tuberous roots, and roots were analyzed. Tuberous roots and the stem base contained higher amounts of forskolin than other organs. The forskolin content in the stem decreased gradually towards the top of the shoot.

New polyoxygenated ent-manoyl oxides obtained by biotransformation with filamentous fungi.

Incubation of methyl (13R)-ent-16-hydroxy-8 alpha,13-epoxylabd-14-en-18-oate [4] with Curvularia lunata yielded ent-1 beta-hydroxy [6] and ent-6 beta-hydroxy [7] derivatives, and that of methyl (13S)-ent-16-dihydroxy-8 alpha,13-epoxylabd-14-en-18-oate [5] with the same organism gave ent-11 beta-hydroxy [8], ent-6 beta-hydroxy [9], and ent-6 beta,11 beta-dihydroxy [10] derivatives. The incubation of substrates 4 and 5 with Fusarium moniliforme afforded ent-1 beta-hydroxy derivatives (6 and 14, respectively). Cunninghamella elegans produced ent-3 beta-hydroxy, ent-1 beta-hydroxy and ent-1 beta,3 beta-dihydroxy derivatives, and led to epoxidation of the double bond of the substrates. In addition, ent-3 beta,11 alpha-dihydroxy (as the acetoxy derivative 17) and ent-3 beta,11 beta-dihydroxy [12] derivatives were isolated from incubations of substrates 4 and 5, respectively. Compounds 7, 9-11, 14, 16-18, and 21 were characterized as new polyoxygenated ent-manoyl oxides.