Reactions of forskolin, a biologically active diterpenoid from Coleus forskohlii

Abstract

Forskolin (1)(7β-acetoxy-8,13-epoxy-1α,6β,9α-trihydroxylabd-14-en-11-one), the major diterpenoid of Coleus forskohlii, has potent positive inotropic, antihypertensive, and adenylate cyclase stimulant properties. The reactivity of its various functional groups (1α-OH, 6β-OH, the derived 7β;-OH, 9α-OH, 11-oxo, and 14,15-double bond) has been studied through acylation, alkylation, dehydration, oxidation, and reduction reactions.