Composition of the essential oil of <i>Nepeta persica</i> Boiss from Iran

Abstract

Abstract The feline attractant properties of several Nepeta spp. have been known for a long time. It was found that nepetalactones were responsible for this characteristic. In this study, the composition of the essential oil of Nepeta persica Boiss (Lamiaceae) was investigated by GLC and GC–MS. Forty‐one, components, representing 86.4% of the oil, were characterized. The major components were 1,4‐hexadiene‐2,3,4,5 tetramethyl and 4aβ, 7α,7aα‐nepetalactone. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.