A Coleus forskohlii extract improves body composition in healthy volunteers: An open-label trial

Abstract

Purpose

Coleus forskohlii (CF) is a south Asian herb that has been historically used in Ayurvedic medicine. The root of CF contains forskolin, a biologically active compound that has been demonstrated to improve well-being in some individuals by promoting lean body mass and supporting healthy metabolic function. We conducted an open-label study to evaluate the efficacy of CF root extract for weight management.

Methods

After obtaining informed consent, 15 healthy volunteers participated in an 8-week open-label study. The subjects received 500 mg of CF extract (10% forskolin) twice a day with their meals. Body composition measurements were conducted using a bioelectric impedance analyzer once each week. Body weight (kg), fat content (kg), lean body mass (kg), and basal metabolic rate (kcal/day) were also measured and documented.

Results

Of the 15 subjects, 12 (mean age 32.2 ± 2.3 years) completed the study. Significant decreases compared with baseline were observed after 8 weeks for body mass index (BMI) (24.92 ± 0.87 to 23.99 ± 0.86 kg/m², p = 0.0038), body weight (66.33 ± 3.00 to 63.96 ± 3.10 kg, p = 0.0038), fat content (29.64 ± 2.19 to 27.77 ± 2.27 kg, p = 0.0038), lean body mass (44.34 ± 2.98 to 43.93 ± 3.01 kg, p = 0.0044) and basal metabolic rate (1379.1 ± 74.4 to 1363.9 ± 77.5 kcal, p = 0.0254).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that CF root extract has potential as an adjunct therapy for the treatment of obesity. Further studies using double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled designs are warranted to conclusively demonstrate the effectiveness of CF root extract in personalized supplements and/or pharmacological interventions.

Introduction

Obesity has become one of the major challenges for general public health worldwide. The scarcity of effective therapeutics for obesity demands the development of tailor-made approaches from the viewpoint of personalized medicine. Although there are currently few effective pharmacological treatments for obesity, there is a growing body of literature showing the potential efficacy of botanical medicine and phototherapy as complementary therapy. Several botanicals, including Coleus forskohlii (CF), have been considered and tested for the treatment of obesity and for the promotion of healthy weight management.

CF is an Indian plant that has been used in traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda [1], [2]. CF belongs to the family Labiatae, also known as the mint family (Fig. 1). The plant is rich in various kinds of alkaloids. The root portion of CF contains forskolin, a biologically active compound [1], [2]. Forskolin is a diterpene that acts as an adenylate cyclase activator [3]. Adenylate cyclase is involved in the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), a significant biochemical agent in metabolic processes. cAMP induces biochemical events that trigger metabolic processes and diet-induced thermogenesis, increase lean body mass, and stimulate the loss of body fat. Consequently, the use of CF extract may be beneficial for maintaining healthy body composition and lean body mass levels.

In ovariectomized rats, the administration of CF extract reduced body weight, food intake, and fat accumulation [4]. Several clinical trials have reported an anti-obesity effect for CF extract [5], [6]. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of CF extract for weight-management in Japanese subjects.