Forskolin is a diterpene isolated from Coleus forskohlii, possessing vasodilating and cardiostimulatory properties. Forskolin resensitizes cell receptors by activating the enzyme adenylyl cyclase and increasing the intracellular levels of cAMP.

Forskolin is a labdane diterpenoid isolated from the Indian Coleus plant. It has a role as a plant metabolite, an anti-HIV agent, a protein kinase A agonist, an adenylate cyclase agonist, an antihypertensive agent and a platelet aggregation inhibitor. It is a labdane diterpenoid, an acetate ester, an organic heterotricyclic compound, a triol, a cyclic ketone and a tertiary alpha-hydroxy ketone.