S. Murugesan, C. Rajeshkannan, R. Sumathi, P. Manivachakam and D. Suresh Babu
Coleus forskohlii belongs to the Natural Order Labiatae (Lamiaceae), a family of mints and lavenders. This species is a perennial herb with fleshy, fibrous roots that grows wild in the warm sub-tropical temperate areas in India, Burma and Thailand. In Thailand, tubers of this plant have been used in cooking as one of the ingredients in Thai curry. In India, it is cultivated for use as a condiment. The root hexane extract of C.forskohlii was analyzed using Varian 4000 gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS-MS). Six major components α-cedrene, β- cadinene, citronellal, two labdane derivatives and ß-citronellol were identified. α - Cedrene constituted 92.4% area followed by a Labdane Derivative which comprised 86.2%. These molecules have been characterized and identified as a rich source of medical and other biological properties.
