Kasturi
Kasturi is an animal-derived substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. [Zoology, chemical composition, pharmacology, quality control and future perspective of Musk (Moschus): a review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34147113/). 2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed.
| Substance type | Animal-derived substance, not a plant |
|---|
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kasturi |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Muscone (3-methylcyclopentadecanone) - primary active component
- Muscopyridine and muscopyranol
- Cholesterol and fatty acids
- Proteins and peptides
- Wax esters and steroids (5-alpha-androst-16-en-3-one)
- Phenolic compounds
- Ammonia and other volatile compounds
- Mineral salts (potassium, calcium, sodium)
How does it work?
- Neuroprotection: Muscone crosses blood-brain barrier, activates cAMP/PKA signaling, reduces neuroinflammation, and protects neurons against ischemia-reperfusion injury
- Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits NF-kB pathway, reduces TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 production; suppresses microglial activation
- Cardioprotective: Stimulates cardiac contractility, improves coronary blood flow, and exhibits antiarrhythmic properties through calcium channel modulation
- Anticancer: Induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines through mitochondrial pathway and cell cycle arrest
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Hridya (cardiac tonic): Muscone’s cardioprotective and inotropic effects validate traditional use in cardiac formulations including Kasturi Bhairava Rasa and Mrigamadasava
- Unmada and Apasmara (psychiatric/neurological disorders): Muscone’s ability to cross BBB and modulate neuroinflammation supports classical Ayurvedic use in stroke, seizures, and psychiatric conditions
- Vishamjwara (intermittent fevers) and Sannipata: Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties provide basis for traditional use in severe febrile and toxic conditions
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Liu K, Xie L, Deng M and others 2021. Zoology, chemical composition, pharmacology, quality control and future perspective of Musk (Moschus): a review. Chinese medicine. PMID 34147113 · doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00457-8
Comprehensive review confirmed muscone possesses potent anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticancer, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protective effects; muscone activates cAMP/PKA signaling pathway for neuroprotection.
2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- CITES Appendix I: International trade in natural musk is prohibited; possession and sale of natural Kasturi is illegal in most jurisdictions without specific permits
- Musk deer (Moschus moschiferus) is critically endangered; traditional harvesting killed the animal, though non-lethal extraction methods have been developed in Chinese musk deer farms
- Clinical trial data in humans are lacking; most pharmacological evidence is from animal studies and in vitro research
- Synthetic muscone and plant-based musk alternatives (Abelmoschus moschatus - Kasturi Bhendi) are recommended as ethical and legal substitutes
What is it made of?
Macrocyclic Ketones
- Muscone (1-3%)
- Normuscone
Steroids
- Cholesterol
- Cholestanol
Nitrogenous Compounds
- Muscopyridine
- Androstenone
Analytical Methods: GC-MS (muscone), HPLC, LC-MS/MS
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Churna, Component in cardiac and neurological preparations
Standard Dosage: 30–125 mg
Bioavailability: High lipophilicity; crosses blood-brain barrier
Optimal Timing: As directed in specific formulations
Standardized Extract: Purified musk; now synthetic muscone used as substitute
Shelf Life: 3–5 years (natural); 2 years (synthetic)
Storage: Airtight, cool, dark place
Marker Compounds: Muscone (3-methylcyclopentadecanone), Muscopyridine, Steroids
Quality Parameters: Muscone content >2% (natural); CITES compliance required for natural musk
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews6
- 2023. Treatment Progress in Diminished Ovarian Reserve: Western and Chinese MedicineChinese journal of integrative medicine. PMID 35015221 · doi:10.1007/s11655-021-3353-2
- 2022. Chinese Medicine Phenomics (Chinmedphenomics): Personalized, Precise and PromisingPhenomics (Cham, Switzerland). PMID 36939806 · doi:10.1007/s43657-022-00074-x
- 2021. Zoology, chemical composition, pharmacology, quality control and future perspective of Musk (Moschus): a reviewChinese medicine. PMID 34147113 · doi:10.1186/s13020-021-00457-8
- 2020. Pharmacological effects of icariinAdvances in pharmacology (San Diego, Calif.). PMID 32089233 · doi:10.1016/bs.apha.2019.10.004
- 2017. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) TherapyAdvances in experimental medicine and biology. PMID 29098677 · doi:10.1007/978-981-10-5562-1_13
- 2016. Artemisinin-A Gift from Traditional Chinese Medicine to the World (Nobel Lecture)Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English). PMID 27488942 · doi:10.1002/anie.201601967
Laboratory and animal studies6
- 2023. Editorial: Traditional Chinese medicine for depression and anxietyFrontiers in psychiatry. PMID 37502820 · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1217886
- 2021. Understanding traditional Chinese medicineHepatobiliary surgery and nutrition. PMID 35004951 · doi:10.21037/hbsn-2021-25
- 2020. Publishing studies in traditional Chinese medicineJournal of advanced nursing. PMID 31858613 · doi:10.1111/jan.14297
- 2012. Modernization of traditional Chinese medicineJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 22569212 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2012.05.001
- 2011. The discovery of artemisinin (qinghaosu) and gifts from Chinese medicineNature medicine. PMID 21989013 · doi:10.1038/nm.2471
- 2010. Traditional Chinese medicineCombinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening. PMID 21143187 · doi:10.2174/138620710793360329
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