biostudies-literatureUnknown27(3)Kiatlertpongsa Tthe Thailand Science Research and Innovation Fundamental Fund, fiscal year 2025Thammasat Postdoctoral FellowshipThe reliance on synthetic repellents such as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) has raised health and environmental concerns, prompting the search for safer, plant-based alternatives. Catnip (<i>Nepeta cataria</i> L.), a rich source of iridoid monoterpenes, particularly nepetalactones, known for strong insect-repellent activity. However, their efficient extraction and molecular mechanisms in insect inhibition remains challenging. This study examined the chemical composition, protein-ligand interactions, and safety profiles of nepetalactones in comparison with DEET, with particular focus on mosquito odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) from <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> (<i>Agam</i>OBP), <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> (<i>Cqui</i>OBP), and <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (<i>Aaeg</i>OBP). GC-MS/MS analysis identiInternational journal of molecular sciences1572https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12897829biostudies-literatureA Safer Alternative Bio-Repellent: Targeting Mosquito Odorant-Binding Proteins with Catnip-Derived Nepetalactones from &lt;i&gt;Nepeta cataria&lt;/i&gt; Leaves.PMC12897829Saetan JKiatlertpongsa TNonkhwao SDuangprom SJanpan PCharoenrit JSobhon PAmonruttanapun PSongkoomkrong SDaduang SKornthong NfalseA Safer Alternative Bio-Repellent: Targeting Mosquito Odorant-Binding Proteins with Catnip-Derived Nepetalactones from &lt;i&gt;Nepeta cataria&lt;/i&gt; Leaves.The reliance on synthetic repellents such as N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) has raised health and environmental concerns, prompting the search for safer, plant-based alternatives. Catnip (<i>Nepeta cataria</i> L.), a rich source of iridoid monoterpenes, particularly nepetalactones, known for strong insect-repellent activity. However, their efficient extraction and molecular mechanisms in insect inhibition remains challenging. This study examined the chemical composition, protein-ligand interactions, and safety profiles of nepetalactones in comparison with DEET, with particular focus on mosquito odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) from <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> (<i>Agam</i>OBP), <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i> (<i>Cqui</i>OBP), and <i>Aedes aegypti</i> (<i>Aaeg</i>OBP). GC-MS/MS analysis identi2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-07T03:16:24.589Z2026-07-07T03:08:47.808ZS-EPMC128978294168399510.3390/ijms27031572