Catnip

From Chempedia

The Chemistry of Catnip Catnip, a member of the mint family, is commonly recognized for the amusing effect that it has on cats in addition to its many beneficial functions for humans. Known for centuries as a useful plant, “the catnip species originated in Europe and parts of Asia, but its medicinal uses earned it a place in…gardens in North America.”

Catnip’s main component is a chemical called nepetalactone, shown below.

First isolated in Italy in 1941 from the perennial herb catnip (Nepeta cataria), nepetalactone has the empirical formula C₁₀H₁₄O₂. The compound is made up of a two ring structure: The first ring is cyclopentane, while the second is a cyclic ester. Nepetalactone is a terpene, which are chemicals containing an empirical formula with C₁₀ or C₁₅ and defined as, “…volatile organic compounds derived from plants”.⁵ This classification links it to the many fragrant members of the terpene family, including mint. Nepetalactone is found throughout the entire catnip plant.¹ With this key compound stored as oil, “…the leaves, stems, and seedpods of catnip are covered with microscopic bulbs called trichomes, which store the essential oil until they reach maturity and burst.”¹ It is this oil, composed mainly of nepetalactone, which is responsible for catnip’s effect on felines, insects, and humans.

Catnip and Cats A catnip-affected cat will behave erratically, perhaps playing with the catnip itself, rolling over, and running around in random paths. This euphoric arousal can be achieved by licking, chewing, or simply sniffing catnip. However, whether a cat responds at all to catnip depends on if it has the gene related to a catnip reaction.¹ If, indeed a cat does have the gene for catnip sensitivity, it will not be capable of reacting until it is at least six weeks old. The process for a cat’s reaction to nepetalactone involves mostly the lungs. The anatomical receptor is found above the cat’s palate and is called the vomeronasal organ, which is shown in a diagram on the next page. Only amounts of nepetalactone that are inhaled can actually come into contact with the organ: Simply ingesting catnip does not ensure any type of reaction unless some amount of nepetalactone reaches the vomeronasal organ. The anatomical location can be seen below.

Catnip and Insects While the use of catnip as a treat for cats is common, new applications have recently been developed including nepetalactone-based insect repellents. Nepetalactone, which gives catnip its smell, has been known to repel cockroaches and kill flies, and studies conducted at Iowa State University have proven that nepetalactone can be a more effective bug repellent than DEET by a factor of one hundred. Especially because DEET has been known to cause toxic reactions to some of its users, catnip—a less harmful product by far—may be the next wave of bug repellent.⁵

Catnip and Humans In addition to affecting felines and insects, catnip has several uses for humans. For example, it is commonly used to make a yellow dye. Beginning in the 15th century catnip was often rubbed on meats before cooking, and frequently dusted on mixed salads to add spice. In addition, the leaves were commonly used to make teas before the onset of the more modernly popular Chinese tea.⁴ In addition to culinary functions, catnip has long been used as a remedy to many common ailments. In the Middle Ages catnip was used to aid with illnesses such as the flu, colds, and fevers; it has been used to help relieve headache tension, toothaches, colic, and even muscle spasms. Catnip—or more specifically the nepetalactone found in catnip—has also long been known as a strong sleep agent and effective antibacterial.⁴

As can be deduced from the many functions of catnip, its main chemical compound nepetalactone is very useful for a variety of reasons. Catnip can be utilized during bouts of sickness or insomnia. It can be used in tea to calm nerves, or implemented in cooking to add flavor to a dish. By exposing a sensitive feline to catnip, one can be amused for hours by a comical display of erratic behavior. Finally, nepetalactone’s formidable strength as an insect repellent may lead to future anti-bug products to be made from catnip. In total, while catnip is produced both commercially and in the wild, it may come to pass that catnip will even be more widely harnessed than it already is because of the many beneficent consequences of its use.

Footnotes

1. ^ Science and Technology Magazine. Volume 83, Number 31, page 39; August 1, 2005.
2. ^ faculty.ucc.edu. 5 November 2005.
3. ^ "Nepetalactone." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepetalactone. 10 October, 2005.
4. ^ http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Nepetalactone. 10 October 2005.
5. ^ http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa103001a.htm. 10 October 2005.
6. ^ maxshouse.com/Illustrations/vomeronasal.jpg. 6 November 2005.

Researched and Written by: Victoria Anderson-Barnes, Will Dopp, Amanda Schwenn, and Allison Sullivan