Forskolin stimulation of adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes 

From 1985 this preclinical study set the stage for much of our mechanistic understanding of Coleus. Authors identified forskolin, the main active compound, may mainly act on the catalytic component of adenylate cyclase. Suggesting that it stimulates adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes by a novel mechanism that differs from TSH- or Gpp(NH)p-stimulation, and that the diterpene may be a useful tool to investigate the metabolism of thyroid and its regulation in normal and pathological situations. 

References:

Kasai K, Suzuki Y, Hiraiwa M, Kuroda H, Emoto T, Nakamura T, Shimoda S. Forskolin stimulation of adenylate cyclase in human thyroid membranes. Acta Endocrinol (Copenh). 1985 Feb;108(2):200-5. doi: 10.1530/acta.0.1080200. PMID: 4038568.