Musk

Scientific Name(s): Moschus moschiferus L.
Common Name(s): Deer musk, Musk, Tonquin musk

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 27, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Musk is used as a component of fragrances and as a fixative in perfumes. In animal studies, components of musk reportedly have anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activity.

Dosing

None well documented.

Contraindications

None well documented.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Compounds derived from the musk deer are highly lipophilic and have been found to accumulate in human fat and milk. Although musk is primarily used topically, caution is warranted during use in pregnancy and lactation because of a lack of toxicity data.

Interactions

A dose-dependent induction of CYP450 1A1 and 1A2 was observed in liver microsomes of adult rats fed synthetic musk.

Adverse Reactions

There is a potential for a skin hypersensitivity reaction.

Toxicology

Review of the scientific literature reveals no significant reports of systemic toxicity with the use of musk.

Scientific Family

• Moschidae

Source

The musk deer (M. moschiferus) is a small, solitary animal that attains a stature of only 0.5 m. It is native to mountainous regions of Asia, including Tibet, and throughout 17 provinces in China.Khan 2009, Yang 2003

Musk is an odiferous secretion derived from the musk gland under the abdomen near the pubis of the male musk deer. The glands weigh up to 30 g and contain about half their weight in musk. There are two methods of obtaining musk. In the first method, the trapped deer is killed in late winter or early spring and the gland is removed. Alternately, musk is collected from deer raised in captivity. The musk is removed from the gland of immobilized animals by use of a special spoon. The musk is collected once or twice a year.Evans 1989, Fujimoto 2002 The dried whole gland (known as the pod) or the dried glandular secretions inside (musk grains) are employed in commerce as a perfume. Although traditionally derived from deer that had been killed for the express purpose of musk collection, the material today is largely obtained from deer specifically raised for musk production.

This material should not be confused with musk-root (Ferula sumbul Hook, Family: Apiaceae), which is sometimes used as a substitute for musk in the perfume industry.Duke 2003

History

The use of musk dates back more than 1,300 years when it was used by rulers of early Chinese dynasties. Consequently, it has a broad historical tradition in Chinese herbal medicine and has been used for potentiation of β-adrenergic activity, cardiovascular stimulation, and as an anti-inflammatory. Today, it is used as a component of fragrances and as a fixative in perfumes.Khan 2009, Oh 2002

Chemistry

The fresh musk secretion is a dark brown viscous semi-solid that turns to brownish-yellow or purple-red granules when dried. The term musk is used to describe other materials with a similar odor, although these preparations may be of synthetic or herbal origins.Khan 2009

When distilled, musk yields the principles muscone, muskone (0.3% to 2%), and normuscone. Muscone or 3-methylcyclopentadecanone, 1 is the key flavor component of musk. Two androstane alkaloids were isolated from the musk of M. moschiferus, and the structures revealed by 2-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. The structures were 3α-ureido-androst-4-en-17-one and 3α-ureido-androst-4-en-17β-ol. Other compounds pr...