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Structural formula of nepetalactone
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Nepetalactone is a
lactone chemical compound first isolated in the plant catnip, Nepeta cataria
(apparently named after the Italian town of Nepete). It was
first isolated in 1941.
Nepetalactone's structure is two rings – a cyclopentane and a cyclic ester,
making a terpenoid. Empirically it is C10H14O2. The structure and the effect of
the compound is similar to valepotriates. There are a number of isomers of
nepetalactone.
As 4aα,7α,7aα-nepetalactone it is the active chemical in Nepeta cataria
that causes its characteristic effect on cats. Around 75% of
cats are affected: susceptibility is
gene-linked. The chemical interacts as a vapour at the vomeronasal organ.
In humans the compound has a number of very mild effects; it is a weak
sedative, antispasmodic, febrifuge and antibacterial. In high doses it also has
an emetic
effect.
It also has an effect on some insects, repelling the
cockroach and mosquito, poisonous to some common flies, but a sex pheromone to
aphids.
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