Musk
Moschus moschiferus L. Family: Moschidae
Musk , Tonquin musk , deer musk
 
Clinical Overview
Uses
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.

 
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. 1,  , 2
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. 3,  , 4 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. 5
 
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. 1,  , 6
 
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. 1
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 present in musk include steroids, paraffins, triglycerides, waxes, mucopyridine, and other nitrogenous substances, and fatty acids. 1,  , 3,  , 4,  , 6
Cyclopentadecanone is a synthetic compound that differs from muscone only in the absence of a methyl group. 4
 
Uses and Pharmacology
Musk's unique odor has made it an important component of perfumes.
Anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activity
Animal data   Musk is reported to have anti-inflammatory and antihistaminic activity in animal models. Its anti-inflammatory activity has been reported to exceed that of phenylbutazone in rats with experimentally induced adjuvant arthritis. 1
Cardiovascular activity
Animal data   In one study, musk was used in combination with herbs that appeared to inhibit and delay platelet aggregation. 7
Clinical data   Musk has been shown to have a beneficial effect in patients suffering from angina, with a therapeutic effect comparable with that observed with nitroglycerin. 1
Other reported activity   Musk may have spasmolytic, CNS-depressant, stimulant, and antibacterial activity. 1
 
Administration & Dosage
None well documented.
 
Pregnancy/Lactation
Compounds derived from the musk deer are highly lipophilic and have been found to bioaccumulate in human fat and milk. Although musk is primarily used topically, caution of its use during pregnancy and lactation may be warranted because of a lack of toxicity data. 8
 
Interactions
A dose-dependent induction of CYP450 1A1 and 1A2 was observed in liver microsomes of adult rats fed synthetic musk. Substrates for CYP1A2 include acetaminophen, caffeine, tamoxifen, theophylline, and warfarin; although clinical and drug-interaction data are lacking, counseling may be warranted for patients using musk with a narrow therapeutic index drug (eg, warfarin). 8
 
Adverse Reactions
As with many naturally derived compounds that are applied topically, there is a potential for a skin hypersensitivity reaction. Musk components are known to cause a variety of dermal reactions, including pigmented dermatitis following the application of musk-containing rouge 9,  and photoallergic contact dermatitis following the use of musk-containing fragrances. 10,  In a survey of dermatology clinics in Scandinavia, musk ambrette was among the leading topical photosensitizers reported. 11,  This material was similarly cited as one of the most photosensitizing compounds reported by Mayo Clinic patients. 12
 
Toxicology
Review of the scientific literature reveals no reports of systemic toxicity with the use of musk.
 
References
 

1. Leung AY. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics . New York, NY: Wiley; 1980.

 

2. Yang Q, Meng X, Xia L, Feng Z. Conservation status and causes of decline of musk deer ( Moschus spp.) in China. Biol Conserv . 2003;109:333-342.

 

3. Fujimoto S, Yoshikawa K, Itoh M, Kitaharai T. Synthesis of (R)- and (S)- muscone. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem . 2002;66:1389-1392.  PubMed

 

4. Evans WC. Trease and Evans' Pharmacognosy . 13th ed. Oxford, England: The Alden Press;1989.

 

5. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 1985.

 

6. Oh SR, Lee JP, Chang SY, Shin DH, Ahn KS, Min BS, Lee HK. Androstane alkaloids from musk of Moschus moschiferus . Chem Pharm Bull . 2002;50:663-664.  PubMed

 

7. Zhao L, Zhang Y, Xu ZX. Clinical effect and experimental study of xijian tongshuan pill [in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi . 1994;14:71-73, 67.

 

8. Schlumpf M, Suter-Eichenberger R, Conscience-Egli M, Lichtensteiger W. Bioaccumulation and induction of CYP450 liver enzymes by synthetic musk fragrances in developing and adult rats. Toxicol Lett . 1998(suppl 1);95:210.

 

9. Hayakawa R, Hirose O, Arima Y. Pigmented contact dermatitis due to musk moskene. J Dermatol . 1991;18:420-424.  PubMed

 

10. Megahed M, Holzle E, Plewig G. Persistent light reaction associated with photoallergic contact dermatitis to musk ambrette and allergic contact dermatitis to fragrance mix. Dermatologica . 1991;182:199-202.  PubMed

 

11. Thune P, Jansen C, Wennersten G, Rystedt I, Brodthagen H, McFadden N. The Scandinavian multicenter photopatch study 1980-1985: final report. Photodermatol . 1988;5:261-269.  PubMed

 

12. Menz J, Muller SA, Connolly SM. Photopatch testing: a six-year experience. J Am Acad Dermatol . 1988;18:1044-1047.  PubMed