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Nepetalactone

5,6,7,7a-Tetrahydro-4,7-dimethylcyclopenta[c]pyran-1(4aH)-one

2-(2-Hydroxy-1-methylethenyl)-5-methylcyclopentanecarboxylic acid δ-lactone

Bicyclic monoterpenoid alkene lactone · C₁₀H₁₄O₂

Chemical structure of Nepetalactone
2D structure PubChem / NCI CIR

Chemical info

CAS number CAS
21651-62-7
Molecular formula
C₁₀H₁₄O₂
Molecular weight
166.22 g/mol
Aroma
Hay, herbal, lightly sweet and earthy. The defining constituent of catnip.

Safety

Limited data · Single oil source

Nepetalactone is the main constituent of catnip oil (Nepeta cataria), existing primarily as a mixture of (Z,E)- and (E,Z)-isomers. Safety data is very limited.

Acute toxicity. Mouse ip LD50 is 1.55 g/kg, isomer not specified.

No published data on skin reactions or subchronic toxicity in humans.

Usage guidelines

Concern level
Limited data
Notable bioactivity
Cat euphoria, mosquito repellent

Found in essential oils

Principal sources
Catnip12.7 – 84.0 %

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration of 14C-labelled (Z,E)-nepetalactone to domestic cats, 86 to 94 percent of the 14C label was excreted in urine, 1 to 2 percent in feces, 1 to 12 percent in expelled air. The major metabolite (50 to 75 percent) was α-nepetalinic acid.

Notes

Nepetalactone is known for triggering an euphoric response in cats through interaction with vomeronasal receptors. It is simultaneously an effective insect repellent, especially against mosquitoes.