Volatile constituents of Nepeta denudata Benth. and N. cephalotes Boiss. from Iran.

Abstract The composition of the essential oils of Nepeta denudate Benth. and N. cephalotes Boiss., which are endemic to Iran, was investigated by means of GC, GC/MS and 1H-NMR spectra of the main compounds, 1,8-cineole (48.0%), myrtenol (5.0%), β-pinene (4.6%) and trans-pinocarveol (4.5%) were the main components among the 21 constituents characterized in the oil of N. denudata, representing 85.7% of the total components detected. Ten compounds were identified in the oil of N. cephalotes representing 78.5% of the total oil with 4aα, 7α, 7aα-nepetalactone (35.1%), β-pinene (18.2%) and 1,8-cineole (11.4%) as the major constituents. The structure of 1,8-cineole, nepetalactone and β-pinene were confirmed by their 1H-NMR spectra.