Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Coleus forskohlii.
Methods: Isolation and purification were carried out by silica gel column chromatographic and Toyopearl HW-40F. Compounds were identified and elucidated by spectral and chemical methods.
Results: Seven compounds were obtained from ethyl acetate extract fraction. Their structures were identified as lupeol (1), oleanolic acid (2), uvalo(3), beta-sitosterol (4), colonic acid (5), demethylcryptojaponol (6), coleolic acid (7). Compounds 1, 2, 6, 7 showed obviously antitumor activity.
Conclusion: Compound 1 and 3 are isolated from the genus for the first time. Moreover, compound 1 is firstly found to have antitumor activity from the plants.