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-β-D-glucopyranoside
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
beta-Arbutin
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside
Arbutin
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucoside
Brand Names
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoul
Elcure C White Serum
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA 2Plus
Suyan Jeongbaek
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Medium
The Prestige BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Dr G Whitening FORTIFIER by EGF
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Cream
IASO White Science EX
AHC Phyto Complex Gel Ampoule
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