Plectranthus barbatus
Encyclopedia
Plectranthus barbatus, or more commonly known as Coleus forskohlii and Indian Coleus (Kikuyu: Maigoya), is a tropical perennial plant related to the typical coleus
species. It is interesting from a scientific and medicinal standpoint because it produces forskolin
.
In Kenya it is also referred to as Kikuyu toilet paper, as in rural areas its leaves are used as such.
.
The herbal tea of Plectranthus barbatus is composed mainly by rosmarinic acid, but also by flavonoid glucuronides and diterpenoids . It showed interesting activities in vitro, such as antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition (related with the treatment of Alzheimer's disease)and inhibition of the growth of cariogenic bacteria. When administered to rats, the components of the herbal tea were found in the plasma and an inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase was observed, suggesting that the plant extract may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Note: Plectranthus forskalaei Vahl
is a junior synonym of Plectranthus madagascariensis.
Coleus
Solenostemon is a genus of perennial plants, native to tropical Africa, Asia, Australia, the East Indies, the Malay Archipelago, and the Philippines...
species. It is interesting from a scientific and medicinal standpoint because it produces forskolin
Forskolin
Forskolin is a labdane diterpene that is produced by the Indian Coleus plant . Forskolin is commonly used to raise levels of cyclic AMP in the study and research of cell physiology. Forskolin resensitizes cell receptors by activating the enzyme adenylyl cyclase and increasing the intracellular...
.
In Kenya it is also referred to as Kikuyu toilet paper, as in rural areas its leaves are used as such.
Medicinal Use
In Ayurvedic medicine Coleus species have been used to treat heart disease, convulsions, spasmodic pain and painful urination. It is widely used as a domestic mild medicine in South America among both urban and rural developments, sometimes confused with the native plant with similar properties but different uses, boldoBoldo
Peumus boldus, the only species in the genus Peumus, is commonly known as Boldo . This tree of the family Monimiaceae is natively endemic to the central region of Chile, occurring from 33° to 40° southern latitude...
.
The herbal tea of Plectranthus barbatus is composed mainly by rosmarinic acid, but also by flavonoid glucuronides and diterpenoids . It showed interesting activities in vitro, such as antioxidant activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibition (related with the treatment of Alzheimer's disease)and inhibition of the growth of cariogenic bacteria. When administered to rats, the components of the herbal tea were found in the plasma and an inhibition of brain acetylcholinesterase was observed, suggesting that the plant extract may be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Note: Plectranthus forskalaei Vahl
Martin Vahl
Martin Henrichsen Vahl was a Danish-Norwegian botanist and zoologist.He studied botany in Copenhagen and in Uppsala under Carolus Linnaeus. He edited Flora Danica fasc. XVI-XXI , Symbolæ Botanicæ I-III , Eclogæ Americanæ I-IV and Enumeratio Plantarum I-II...
is a junior synonym of Plectranthus madagascariensis.
External links
- PLANTS Database image
- Plectranthus barbatus
- Research on suntanning effect of forskolin
- Plectranthus barbatus: A Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacology - Part 1 https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/html/plantamedica/doi/10.1055/s-0029-1240898
- Plectranthus barbatus: A Review of Phytochemistry, Ethnobotanical Uses and Pharmacology - Part 2 https://www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/html/plantamedica/doi/10.1055/s-0029-1240919
