Forskolin

Forskolin is a naturally occurring diterpene. It directly activates adenylyl cyclase through its catalytic subunit and is commonly used to raise levels of cAMP (an important signal carrier necessary for the proper biological response of cells to hormones, neurotransmitters, and other extracellular signals) in a wide variety of intact cells and tissue preparations. Forskolin also interacts with glucose transporters and certain ion channels and has been used for examining adenylyl cyclase expression, regulation, and G protein signaling. Forskolin is a smooth muscle relaxant/vasodilator with inotropic and antihypertensive activity. Forskolin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property and reduces hyperglycemia by stimulating insulin release. It has anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective properties that ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease symptoms and has also shown a number of antitumor effects.