Composition of the essential oil of two Nepeta species and in vitro evaluation of their activity against Helicobacter pylori.

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from the aerial parts of Nepeta camphorata and Nepeta argolica ssp. dirphya were analysed by GC-MS. A total of 52 components were identified and significant differences (qualitative and quantitative) were observed between the two samples. 1,8-Cineol and two nepetalactones were found to be the major components of the oil of N. camphorata and N. argolica ssp. dirphya respectively. The in vitro activity, of the two oils and the three above mentioned isolated compounds, against 25 clinically isolated and commercial strains of Helicobacter pylori was investigated and some activity was found.