ForsLean is obtained from the dried roots of Coleus forskohlii Briq. (Fig 1) and standardised for 10% forskolin. Ayurvedic prescriptions of the plant have been used to ease pain, support healthy inflammation responses, help manage cough, abdominal pain, low appetite, urine retention and constipation. The plant has attracted immense importance due to the bioactive molecule Forskolin, which activates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), thus can result in various health benefits.1
Obesity, at the molecular level, is the result of the increased number and size of the adipocytes due to increased fat deposition that ultimately results in the weight gain of the individual.2 The Adipose tissue can be differentiated into White adipose tissue (WAT) or Brown adipose tissue (BAT); where WAT functions as energy depot in the form of triglycerides and thus promote weight gain, whereas, BAT can induce weight loss through lipolysis and thermogenesis.3 WAT to BAT conversion has shown to be influenced by activation of adenylate cyclase and increased levels of cAMP. Forskolin has been shown to influence the conversion of WAT into BAT through activating adenylate cyclase.4
Various preclinical studies have demonstrated that Forskolin can induce weight loss and lean body mass by promoting the conversion of WAT into BAT and clinical studies have supported this phenomenon. A clinical study has shown that ForsLean supplementation (250 mg twice a day) for 12 weeks alter body composition favourably while concurrently increasing bone mass and serum free testosterone levels in overweight and obese men.5 Another double-blind, randomised clinical trial showed a reduction in weight gain and scanned mass in 23 overweight female volunteers when supplemented with ForsLean for a period of 12-week. The results strongly suggested that ForsLean can help to mitigate weight gain in overweight females with apparently no clinically significant side effects.6 One more clinical study in obese women volunteers showed that supplementation of 250 mg of the ForsLean twice daily for eight weeks decreases the mean values for body weight and fat content whereas lean body mass was significantly increased when compared to baseline.7
The observations of the clinical studies indicate the safety and efficacy of the ForsLean in obese subjects and support its usage in the effective weight loss regimen.
References
- Sapio L, Gallo M, Illiano M. The Natural cAMP Elevating Compound Forskolin in Cancer Therapy: Is It Time? J Cell Physiol. 2017; 232(5):922-927.
- Redinger RN. The pathophysiology of obesity and its clinical manifestations. Gastroenterol Hepatol (N Y). 2007; 3(11):856-863.
- Townsend K, Tseng YH. Brown adipose tissue: Recent insights into development, metabolic function, and therapeutic potential. Adipocyte. 2012; 1(1):13-24.
- Lieberman S. A New Potential Weapon for Fighting Obesity: Forskolin—the Active Diterpene in Coleus. Altern Complement Ther. 2004; 10(6):330-333.
- Godard MP, Johnson BA, Richmond SR. Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men. Obes Res. 2005; 13(8):1335-1343.
- Henderson S, Magu B, Rasmussen C, et al. Effects of Coleus forskohlii supplementation on body composition and hematological profiles in mildly overweight women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2005; 2:54-62.
- Badmaev V, Majeed M, A. Conte A, Parker J. Diterpene Forskolin (Coleus forskohlii, Benth.): A possible new compound for reduction of body weight by increasing lean body mass. NutraCos - Nutraceuticals. 2002; 1:6-7.
