Cardiovascular effects of colforsin daropate hydrochloride, a novel drug for the treatment of acute heart failure

Abstract

Colforsin daropate hydrochloride (COL) is a water-soluble forskolin derivative for the treatment of acute heart failure. COL, like forskolin, stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) directly and produced pharmacologic activities accompanied by the increase in cellular cAMP. COL was different from forskolin in watersolubility, duration of action, BBB permeability, oral activity and AC-subtype selectivity. COL was a inodilator with positive inotropic and vasodilator effects and was effective on a β-receptor desensitized-heart model in Which the effects of β-agonists and PDE inhibitors were attenuated. COL improved cardiac function in some heart failure models. In the clinical studies, COL improved hemodynamics, subjective and objective symptoms of heart failure patients, and was also effective in the catecholamine-resistant heart failure patients. COL is a first clinically available adenylate cyclase activator. Further information from the post-marketing-surveillance will provide information that will enable more adequate usage of this drug.