The plant Coleus forskohlii belong to the family Lamiaceae (Mint family). First found in India, it is now grown all over the world.Coleus Forskohlii is a hardy perennial, having thrived for 3,000 years already. Historically it has been cultivated on the dry slopes of the Himalayas and lowlands of Northern India.. The plant also has being grown in Thailand and various other parts of Southeast Asia. The plant has a square shaped stem, which is a typical mint family characteristic. Mint family plants are also usually very strongly fragrant because they contain vast amounts of essential oils. The plant is fleshy and has a scent very similar to camphor. It attains a height of 30 to 60 cm and grows well in 50% shade condition. The plant has very high medicinal value. “Forskolin”- a labdane diterpenoid is extracted from the tuberous roots of this plant. This compound is used for the treatment of glaucoma, congestive cardiovascular diseases, asthma, allergies, psoriasis, cancer metastases, obesity and weight loss. Forskohline increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and its various mediating operations, by activating the adenylate cyclase enzyme The herbal formulation (decoction) of the plant is extensively used in Ayurveda and Sidha medicines.
Lasiodiplodia theobromae is a widespread soil-borne saprophyte or wound parasite in the tropics of all continents. The plant Coleus forskohlii is widely infected with this fungus and lead to yield lost. Being an important medicinal plant prorogation and tissue culture work has been carried out in larger extent. At the same time no studies has been done to select a root rot resistant variety. The present investigation is for the selection of root rot resistant Coleus forskohlii. Co-culture technique and cell line selection are the methods employed in the investigation. A root rot resistant verity can substitute the inadequate supply of ‘Forskolin’- main active compound in medical use.
