Nepetalactone's structure is two rings - a cyclopentane and a cyclic ester, making a terpenoid. Empirically it is C9H14O2. 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 effected, susceptibility is gene linked. The chemical interacts as a vapour at the vomeronasal organ.
In humans the compound has a number of mild effects, it is a weak sedative, antispasmodic, febrifuge and antibacterial, in high doses it has an emetic effect.
Nepetalactone also has an effect on some insects, repelling the cockroach and mosquito, poisonous to some common flies, but a sex pheremone to aphids.
Nepetalactone was first isolated in 1941.