Actinidine is an
iridoid produced in nature by a wide variety of plants and animals. It was the first cyclopentanoid
monoterpene alkaloid to be discovered.[2] It is one of several
compounds that may be
extracted from the
valerian (Valeriana officinalis) root[3] and silver vine (Actinidia polygama), as well as several types of insects in the
larval and
imaginal stages.[4] Actinidine is a
cat attractant, with effects like those of
nepetalactone, the active compound found in
catnip.[5]
A potential biosynthesis of actinidine from L-citronellal is shown below.[7]
References
^Sakan T (1959). "On the Structure of Actinidine and Matatabilactone, the Effective Components of Actinidia polygama". Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan. 32 (3): 315–316.
doi:
10.1246/bcsj.32.315.
^Janot MM, Guilhem J, Contz O, Venera G, Cionga E (1979). "Contribution to the study of valerian alcaloids (Valeriana officinalis L.): actinidine and naphthyridylmethylketone, a new alkaloid". Ann. Pharm. Fr. (in French). 37 (9–10): 413–20.
PMID547813.