On the High value Medicinal plant, Coleus forskohlii Briq.

Plan: To review literature on the medicinal value of ColeusforskohliiPrologue: Coleus forskohlii is an aromatic plant belonging to thefamily Lamiaceae. The roots are fasciculate, thick, succulent and contain theunique chemical forskolin. Out of the 300 species of Coleus, only Coleusforskohlii contains the diterpene forskolin.Outcome: Coleus forskohlii contains abietane diterpenoids,8,13-epoxy-labd-14-en-11-one-diterpenoids,8,13-epoxy-labd-14-en-11-one-diterpene glycosides and an essential oil with bornylacetate as the major compound. Among them the most investigated compoundforskolin has significant cardiovascular effects. Forskolin derivatives areused in cardiac care. Owing to thepharmaceutical value of forskolin, Coleus forskohlii is increasingly beingcultivated all over India.