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
p-hydroxyphenyl ¦Â-D-glucopyranoside
hydroquinone O-¦Â-D-glucopyranoside
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
p-hydroxyphenyl ¦Â-D-glucoside
beta-Arbutin
Arbutin
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
Brand Names
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Medium
First C Superfull
Vitabrid C12 FACE Pow der 3g
Skin-ion
The Oriental Gold BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Obagi
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Light
Isaknox White Symphony Brightening Emulsion
Dr Young 2p Brightening UV Sun Block SPF50 PA
IASO White Science EX
Reoganic EX Whitening Pore Care Deodorant
Cellbn Damage Multi Action Toner
Derma Blemish Balm blemish balm
Absolute Total BB SPF37 PA 3Plus
Lizk Serum
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoul
Super Plus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF50 Plus PA 3Plus (40g)
AHC Vital Complex C-15 Ampoule
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 21
Dr G Whitening REFORMER by EGF
Skin79 Snail Nutrition Bbcream
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoule
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 23
Cellbn Damage Precious Serum
Sooryehan Pure Whitening
AHC Premium Intense Contour Balm
D-one By Tamdoan Sunscreen 50
Propolis 20 BB Cream
ICEKING Whitening Freckle Removing Essence
Sooryehan Pure-Whitening Essential Starter
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF25 PA 2Plus
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