Related Compounds
Compounds connected by the same goals, effects, or research topics.
Compound Profile
Forskolin
Labdane diterpene from Coleus forskohlii root that directly activates adenylyl cyclase to raise intracellular cAMP.
Use extra caution — Mostly preclinical or source extract evidence. Details
Last reviewed: •1 source citedReport a correctionProfile-wide ·C Limited
At a glance
From this profile's structured data- Evidence
- Grade C
- Safety
- Mostly preclinical or source-extract evidence.
- Profile context
- adenylyl cyclase/cAMP, adenylyl cyclase
Next stepsWhere to go next — guides & comparisons
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Quick stats
- Evidence level
- Limited evidence
- Typical onset
- Varies by prep
- Safety rating
- Use extra caution: Interaction risk
- Best for
- Adenylyl Cyclase/CAMP, Adenylyl Cyclase
- Avoid / review if
- Known Hypersensitivity To Coleus Forskohlii
Botanical Context
Source botanicals and comparison guides related to Forskolin.
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Safety
Safety & Cautions
Mostly preclinical or source extract evidence. Isolated compound safety is not equivalent to food/herb exposure; use caution with pregnancy, liver/kidney disease, and polypharmacy.
High caution
Caution level: High. Multiple caution categories apply, or the record uses avoid/contraindication language.
- Interaction-AwareMedication or interaction context is explicitly noted.
- Liver-SensitiveLiver-related caution language appears in the profile.
- Stimulant-Like ProfileStimulant-like or activating caution language is present.
- Anticoagulant CautionBleeding or anticoagulant-adjacent caution language is present.
Evidence-based safety
Caution when combined
Severity and certainty are shown separately. A high-priority caution can still be theoretical: these pairings are screened from shared contraindication mechanisms and are not automatically documented clinical interactions. Provenance identifies the source fields that produced each flag; it does not upgrade the certainty of the pairwise claim.
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
High-Priority Caution
147 flagged pairingsBleeding / anticoagulant risk
Representative pairings are shown below. Large mechanism groups are intentionally summarized to keep profiles focused and crawl-efficient.
Bleeding / anticoagulant riskCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 147 of 147 pairings in this mechanism group.
- aescin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Aged Garlic Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- ajoene — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Ajwain — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Allicin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Garlic — Theoretical interaction certainty
- American Ginseng Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Andrographis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Archangelica — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Dahurica — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Pubescens — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Root — Theoretical interaction certainty
+135 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Moderate Caution
81 flagged pairingsBlood-pressure effects
Moderate Caution
81 flagged pairingsBlood-pressure effects
Representative pairings are shown below. Large mechanism groups are intentionally summarized to keep profiles focused and crawl-efficient.
Blood-pressure effectsCertainty: Theoretical
Data provenance recorded for 81 of 81 pairings in this mechanism group.
- Agmatine sulfate — Theoretical interaction certainty
- ajoene — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Allicin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- American Ginseng Extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Andrographis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Angelica Dahurica — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astaxanthin — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Astragalus Membranaceus — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Beetroot extract — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Berberis — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Bicarbonate — Theoretical interaction certainty
- Black Seed — Theoretical interaction certainty
+69 more pairings share this mechanism. Use the Safety Checker to review a specific combination.
Evidence Summary
Profile-wide ·C LimitedEvidence lens
Read as directional context, not settled clinical proof.
LimitedLimited evidence
Human clinical evidence: Present in source signals
Mechanistic / preclinical: Mechanism mapped — Metabolic Regulation
Research maturity: Emerging research — main contexts: Adenylyl Cyclase/CAMP · Adenylyl Cyclase
Safety boundary: Safety note available — Mostly preclinical or source extract evidence.
This profile cites 1 human study.
Evidence Strength
Confidence estimate based on the design quality and consistency of published clinical trials.
Forskolin has a limited evidence rating.
General wellnessGeneral wellness
Citation density
0.5
Sources
1
Effects
2
Research recency
Mixed recency
Evidence Grade
Grade C: Limited Evidence
Evaluation of methodological rigor, population reach, and evidence alignment.
- Design Match
- Randomized controlled trial
- Risk of Bias
- Low
- Consistency
- Mixed
Strongest recorded design is a randomized controlled trial, drawn from 2 recorded studies, 2 in people. Findings across those studies disagree.
How evidence grades work
Each grade reflects the strength and consistency of published human evidence — not marketing claims. Grades are based on study count, design quality, effect size, consistency, and recency.
- Strong
- Multiple RCTs, consistent direction, adequate effect size
- Moderate
- Some RCTs or consistent observational data in humans
- Preliminary / Mixed
- Animal or in-vitro only, or conflicting human data
- Traditional / Theoretical
- Traditional use only; no controlled human trials
Clinical Study Summaries (1)1 human evidence source · 1 human trial · Participant totals not consistently reported · Consistency not yet classifiable
What the evidence actually shows
This table contains 1 structured source, including 1 human evidence source; 1 is a human trial.
| Study | Design | N | Dose | Duration | Population | Outcome | Result & magnitude | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PubMed · Obes Res · 2005 Background | Randomized controlled trial Randomly assigns participants to interventions or controls, reducing many sources of bias when the trial is conducted well. | — | — | — | — | — | — | PubMed → |
How Forskolin Works
Simplified mechanism pathway based on preclinical and pharmacological evidence. Does not confirm clinical efficacy.
Mechanism Pathway — How Forskolin Works
CompoundTarget / ReceptorMechanismEffect / Outcome
Dosing
- No standardized dose
- standardized extract or essential oil free preparation when oral use is intended
Mechanisms & biological pathways
Preclinical mechanism details from scientific profiles; these represent plausible pathways but do not guarantee clinical efficacy in humans.
- Metabolic Regulation
Guides that use Forskolin
Condition guides
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Related research paths
Related Herbs
Botanicals connected by the same goals, effects, or research topics.
Related Guides
Deeper context, comparisons, and practical research paths.
Related Safety Pages
Safety checks and cautions relevant to this decision.
Related Articles
Deeper context, comparisons, and practical research paths.
Compare & Sourcing
Compare side-by-side tradeoffs or verify active marker guidelines.
Review available sources for Forskolin
Independent database mapping — evaluated separately from safety and efficacy scores.
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Related alternatives
Herbs for similar conditions
Tradeoffs
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Safety first · Harm reduction
This information is educational and not medical advice. Start low, avoid risky combinations, and consult a licensed clinician before making health decisions—especially if you use medications, have diagnosed conditions, or are pregnant/breastfeeding.
Learn how we evaluate confidence, safety, and intensity on the methodology page.
Editorial Review
Checked against primary sources, cited evidence, and contraindication language before publication. Evidence claims, safety language, and affiliate modules are reviewed independently. Not personal medical advice.
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