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
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
Arbutin
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucoside
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside
beta-Arbutin
hydroquinone O-β-D-glucopyranoside
Brand Names
Sooryehan Pure Whitening
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
Conju Princess BB
Derma Blemish Balm blemish balm
Cream
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF25 PA 2Plus
Super Plus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF50 Plus PA 3Plus (40g)
Recovery Balm
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 21
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