Why does catnip/catmint affect cats?

faielyne wrote:
On 8 Apr 2005 13:30:23 -0700, "Steve G"
wrote:

Nepetalactone. Don't think the mechanism of action is known? Sounds
like there's a review in Tucker^2 (1988; Econonomic Botany 42:
214-),
but I've not got the article.

S.

Any chance this is found in green olives? I know that sounds weird,
but my oldest loves green olive juice. He goes nuts over it like it
is catnip. So I was curious if there was any similar substance in
the
two.

Rhiannon

My friend's cat was like that - he would roll on a plate that had
contained olives. He was just nuts about them!

-L.

Steve G wrote:
kaeli wrote:
(...)
It's a chemical IN the catnip. Kind of like marijuana, but without
dead brain
cells.

Nepetalactone. Don't think the mechanism of action is known? Sounds
like there's a review in Tucker^2 (1988; Econonomic Botany 42: 214-),
but I've not got the article.

S.

IIRC there ia a receptor for nepetalactone in the vomeronasal organ
(same organ used in the flehmen reaction) which cats either have or
don't based on their genetics. It is an autosomal-dominant trait.
About 25% of cats don't have the dominant form of the gene.

-L.

-L. said


Steve G wrote:

Nepetalactone. Don't think the mechanism of action is known? Sounds
like there's a review in Tucker^2 (1988; Econonomic Botany 42: 214-),
but I've not got the article.

S.

IIRC there ia a receptor for nepetalactone in the vomeronasal organ
(same organ used in the flehmen reaction) which cats either have or
don't based on their genetics. It is an autosomal-dominant trait.
About 25% of cats don't have the dominant form of the gene. -L.


Thanks!

********* Felidae World - Catnip and Grasses for Cats
.... Cats possess a unique receptor for the nepetalactone
molecule. ... The enticing odor of catnip oil triggers certain
nerves within the cat's brain. ...
felidaeworld.com/grassnip.html - 17k -
The active ingredient in catnip is nepetalactone which
induces a psychosexual response in both male and female cats.
Nepetalactone is most concentrated within the leaves.

About 80% of all cats possess the genetic trait. Cats possess a
unique receptor for the nepetalactone molecule. This receptor is
located in the vomeronasal organ, a structure positioned above
the palate and present in many mammals.
Thus, smelling the catnip is what causes cats to react to it,
ingestion alone has no effect. Reactive cats may not show a
response if they are too young, generally between the age of
three to six months is when you'll get the first reaction.
Senior cats may no longer show a response as well. Some do not
develop the taste until several years old. Some cats require a
stress-free environment before they will allow themselves to
indulge.
Most lions, pumas, and leopards react to catnip but tigers
do not.

The enticing odor of catnip oil triggers certain nerves within
the cat's brain. Many cats will roll and rub on catnip, purring
loudly. Others roll, lick, rub, drool, jump, and run and some
cats wallow in it, eating it and showing inebriated behavior for
5 - 15 minutes. After initial "high", most cats sleep it off or
remain pacified or calm for several hours. There are no
unpleasant side effects. About an hour's removal from the catnip
is required before the second dose is effective. Not all catnip
plants are created equal, different plants have different amounts
of nepetalactone present. Catnip pellets are usually about 50%
stronger than leaves.

Catnip is nontoxic and nonaddicting. If a large quantity of
fresh catnip is consumed there may be some vomiting or diarrhea
but this is rare. Just limit or withhold catnip from your cat.

Catnip is very easy to grow and if you live in a temperate zone,
it will take over your garden! Be prepared to have wandering
cats enjoy it if it is left unprotected. Many people plant it
and cover it with chicken wire if they have many wandering cats
in their neighborhood. You can grow catnip from seed or buy a
grown plant from your local nursery or grocery store. Catnip
prefers bright sun. It is bug-free and many universities are
................
http://felidaeworld.com/grassnip.html

Neuroscience for Kids - Brain Trivia
Trivia about the brain. ... C. The active ingredient in catnip is
called nepetalactone. D. Physicist Albert Einstein did not speak
until he was three years ...
faculty.washington.edu/chudler/tt.html - 92k -

What Herbs REALLY Do Inside Your Body
.... binds its receptor in cat's VNO, the VNO then sends signals
to the cat brain. ... however, because we do not have a
nepetalactone receptor. ...
drholly.typepad.com/ - 318k -

Integrative Bio 445 (formerly Biology 324)
.... sensory neurons that express a particular odorant receptor
(OR) project ... retrogradely transported from the bulb to
neuromodulatory brain areas,;No ...
www.life.uiuc.edu/ib/445/announce.html - 52k -

[PDF] CFQ & PP: Stereochemistry
File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
.... olfactory receptor, resulting in a different signal to the
brain. Thus, enantiomers may ... Nepetalactone is the active
component of catnip. ...
web.chem.ucla.edu/~harding/cfqpp/stereo30.pdf -

Drugs, Society and Behavior 87/88
.... it contains the hallucinogen nepetalactone, which mimics a
natural sex pheromone. ... “By locking on to special receptor
molecules on brain cells, ...
www.hoboes.com/html/Politics/ Prohibition/Notes/87-88DSB.html -
53k -

totse.com | A Concise Encyclopedia of Legal Highs
.... Effects: Competitive acetylcholine inhibitor at receptor site
(postganglionic ... Active Constituents: Metatabilacetone,
nepetalactone, nepetalic acid. ...
www.totse.com/en/drugs/miscellaneous_
drug_information/hilegal.html - 108k -

totse.com | List of legal drugs and where to find them
... Effects: Competitive acetylcholine inhibitor at receptor
site ... Active Constituents: Metatabilacetone, nepetalactone,
nepetalic ...
www.totse.com/en/drugs/otc/drglist.html - 110k -

fact10
.... active ingredient was discovered, a complex molecule called
nepetalactone. ... Smell receptor cells come in many varieties,
each of which responds to a ...
www.qsl.net/n0fyt/fact10.htm - 45k -

West Nile Virus Update
.... The toxin disrupts the gut in the mosquito by binding to
receptor cells present ... 2001, Iowa State University
researchers reported that nepetalactone, ...
http://www.ci.lakewood.oh.us/westnil...l_report_2.htm - 170k -

Health A to Z - Letter - N
.... Neurodegeneration, Neurodegeneration with brain iron
accumulation ... Neurokinin-1 (nk1) receptor antagonist,
Neuroleptic. Neuroleptics, Neurologic ...
www.news-medical.net/keyword.asp?letter=N - 173k -

Medical Information - Index NE
.... neuronal acetylcholine receptor beta 2 subunit, human.
neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein. ... neurospecific brain
antigen 10-40-4, rat. ...
ne.health.digidoc.info/ -

Mersin Üniversitesi - Eczacilik Fakültesi
.... N. Effects of econazole on receptor-operated and
depolarization-induced ... Baser, C. Nepetalactone: a new opioid
analgesic from Nepeta caesarea Boiss. ...

-L. wrote:
(...)

IIRC there ia a receptor for nepetalactone in the vomeronasal organ

Has this actually been located?

S.

Brandy Alexandre wrote:

Kami could care less. I've heard Siamese are immune.


once again...I am days late...and a few dollars short...but, fwiw,
Jasper is hardly immune to catnip! He goes bananas!


Pam