Extracted from the dried leaves of bearberry plant in the genus _Arctostaphylos_ and other plants commonly in the _Ericaceae_ family, arbutin is a beta-D-glucopyranoside of [DB09526]. It is found in foods, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal dietary supplements [F43]. Most commonly, it is an active ingredient in skincare and cosmetic products as a skin-lightening agent for the prevention of melanin formation in various skin conditions that involve cutaneous hyperpigmentation or hyperactive melanocyte function [A27248]. It has also been used as an anti-infective for the urinary system as well as a diuretic [F43]. Arbutin is available in both natural and synthetic forms; it can be synthesized from acetobromglucose and [DB09526] [F43]. Arbutin is a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase (E.C.1.14.18.1) in melanocytes [A27248], and the inhibition of melanin synthesis at non-toxic concentrations was observed _in vitro_. Arbutin was shown to be less cytotoxic to melanocytes in culture compared to [DB09526] [A32942].
Synonyms
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
beta-Arbutin
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside
Arbutin
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
hydroquinone O-β-D-glucopyranoside
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucoside
Brand Names
Dr G Whitening FORTIFIER by EGF
Conju Princess BB
Abalone Crystaldouble EX Ampoule
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Gold SPF25 PA 2Plus
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA 2Plus
OHUI White Extreme Illuminating Pact No.10
Hydro H
AHC Phyto Complex Gel Ampoule
Lizk Serum
Obagi
ICEKING Whitening Freckle Removing Essence
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 23
Cream
Wonder Intensive BBCream 21 (Light)
Cellbn Damage Multi Action Toner
Derma Blemish Balm blemish balm
AHC Vital Complex C-15 Ampoule
Cellxv Real Kelp Facial Mask
Propolis 20 BB Cream
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
The Oriental Gold BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Suyan Chungsoo
Skin79 Snail Nutrition Bbcream
Cellbn Damage Deep Moisture
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF25 PA 2Plus
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoule
Suyan Jeongbaek
DRH Whitening G2
Cellbn Damage Overnight Recovery
The Prestige BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Suyan Chungsyu
Dr G Whitening REFORMER by EGF
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 21
Vitabrid C12 FACE Pow der 3g
Skin-ion
Sooryehan Pure Whitening
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Light
Return 10 Recovery Balm
Super First C Serum Pure Vitamin C 13 Percent
IASO White Science EX Emulsion
Super Plus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF50 Plus PA 3Plus (40g)
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682