Study: “The irritant receptor TRPA1 mediates the mosquito repellent effect of catnip”
March 8, 2021
The study “The irritant receptor TRPA1 mediates the mosquito repellent effect of catnip” was published in the journal Current Biology on March 4.
Professor Marco Gallio of the Department of Neurobiology discusses this collaborative research from Northwestern University and Lund University in the story: “Could catnip become the new DEET? The common plant shows promise as a new natural insect repellent.”
“We discovered that Catnip and its active ingredient Nepetalactone activate the irritant receptor TRPA1, an ancient pain receptor found in animals as diverse as flatworms, fruit flies and humans,” said Gallio. “We now think Catnip is so aversive to so many insect species because it activates this widespread irritant receptor.”
“What is particularly interesting is that, unlike wasabi or garlic compounds that also activate these receptors in humans, catnip appears to selectively activate the insect receptor,” Gallio said. “This explains why humans are indifferent to it, and provides a serious advantage for its use as a repellent.”
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