Nepetalactone

A cat, playing on a purpose built cat tower

Source: © Krzysztof Smejlis / Shutterstock

The catnip compound that felines go crazy for could have exciting uses for humans, too, as Kat Arney finds out

Nepetalactone drives most cats wild. It’s responsible for catnip’s intoxicating effect on felines, but may also be a useful antibacterial agent and insect repellent - tackling both MRSA and mosquitoes…