Research Article

Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L.

Volume: 23 Number: 2 June 27, 2025
  • Behnam Ashrafi
  • Parvin Ramak *
  • Behrouz Ezatpour
  • Gholam Reza Talei

Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L.

Abstract

In this study, chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L., a native plant that grows in Lorestan region of Iran, were studied. Chemical constituents of the essential oil were identified by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and the relative content of each constituent was determined by area normalization. Disc diffusion and broth microdilution assays were used for in vitro antimicrobial screening. Antioxidant activity was employed by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical scavenging. The predominant bioactive ingredients with high percentage in N. Cataria essential oil was 4a-α, 7-α, 7a-βNepetalactone (53.87%). The essential oil’s IC50 value of 80.62 μg / mL in the DPPH assay, could be regarded as its strong antioxidant potential. The antibacterial activities of the essential oil were screened and compared against dozen important human pathogens. The essential oil showed good antibacterial activity, especially on Salmonella spp.. The biggest diameters of inhibition zones (29 mm) was recorded for Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi A showed the lowest MIC (160 μg / mL).

Keywords

References

  1. [1] Mozaffarian V. A dictionary of Iranian plant names, 8 ed., Farhang Mo'aser Press. Tehran, Iran, 2008.
  2. [2] Rechinger K. Flora iranica: no. 150. Labiatae. Graz Akademische Druck, 1982; 70.
  3. [3] Zargari A. Medicinal plants, 5 ed., Tehrari University Press, Tehran, Iran, 1995.
  4. [4] Jamzad Z, Chase MW, Ingrouille M, Simmonds MS, Jalili A. Phylogenetic relationships in Nepeta L. (Lamiaceae) and related genera based on ITS sequence data. Taxon. 2003;52(1):21-32. [CrossRef]
  5. [5] Morteza-Semnani K, Saeedi M. Essential oils composition of Nepeta cataria L. and Nepeta crassifolia Boiss. and Buhse from Iran. J Essent Oil Bear Plant. 2004;7(2):120-124. [CrossRef]
  6. [6] Zomorodian K, Saharkhiz MJ, Shariati S, Pakshir K, Rahimi MJ, Khashei R. Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of essential oils from Nepeta cataria L. against common causes of food-borne infections. ISRN Pharm. 2012;10(4):329-337. [CrossRef]
  7. [7] Yessoufou K, Daru BH, Muasya AM. Phylogenetic exploration of commonly used medicinal plants in South Africa. Mol Ecol Resour. 2015;15(2):405-413. [CrossRef]
  8. [8] Sonboli A, Salehi P, Yousefzadi M. Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta crispa Willd. from Iran. Z Naturforsch C. 2004;59(9-10):653-656. [CrossRef]

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Behnam Ashrafi This is me
Iran

Parvin Ramak * This is me
Iran

Behrouz Ezatpour This is me
Iran

Gholam Reza Talei This is me
Iran

Publication Date

June 27, 2025

Submission Date

November 8, 2017

Acceptance Date

January 24, 2018

Published in Issue

Year 2019 Volume: 23 Number: 2

APA
Ashrafi, B., Ramak, P., Ezatpour, B., & Talei, G. R. (2025). Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 23(2), 336-343. https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN
AMA
1.Ashrafi B, Ramak P, Ezatpour B, Talei GR. Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;23(2):336-343. https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN
Chicago
Ashrafi, Behnam, Parvin Ramak, Behrouz Ezatpour, and Gholam Reza Talei. 2025. “Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Nepeta Cataria L”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 23 (2): 336-43. https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN.
EndNote
Ashrafi B, Ramak P, Ezatpour B, Talei GR (June 1, 2025) Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 23 2 336–343.
IEEE
[1]B. Ashrafi, P. Ramak, B. Ezatpour, and G. R. Talei, “Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L”., J. Res. Pharm., vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 336–343, June 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN
ISNAD
Ashrafi, Behnam - Ramak, Parvin - Ezatpour, Behrouz - Talei, Gholam Reza. “Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Nepeta Cataria L”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 23/2 (June 1, 2025): 336-343. https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN.
JAMA
1.Ashrafi B, Ramak P, Ezatpour B, Talei GR. Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;23:336–343.
MLA
Ashrafi, Behnam, et al. “Biological Activity and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Nepeta Cataria L”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 23, no. 2, June 2025, pp. 336-43, https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN.
Vancouver
1.Behnam Ashrafi, Parvin Ramak, Behrouz Ezatpour, Gholam Reza Talei. Biological activity and chemical composition of the essential oil of Nepeta cataria L. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2025 Jun. 1;23(2):336-43. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA42DA42MN