The Effectiveness and Safety of Coleus forskohlii Extract as an Anti-Obesity Agent: A Systematic Review

Background: Natural products, including medicinal plants, have been explored for obesity management. Coleus forskohlii contains the bioactive compound forskolin, which may influence body composition and weight regulation. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness and safety of C. forskohlii extract as an anti-obesity agent. Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Google Scholar were systematically searched from January 1990 to May 2023. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 1 tool. Results: Four randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. Evidence suggests that C. forskohlii extract may reduce fat mass and body fat percentage; however, findings regarding weight loss and overall body composition have been inconsistent. Adverse effects were generally mild and infrequent. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that C. forskohlii extract may serve as a complementary therapy for obesity. High-quality, long-term, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trials are required to confirm its efficacy and safety.