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 β-D-glucopyranoside
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
hydroquinone O-β-D-glucopyranoside
Arbutin
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucoside
beta-Arbutin
Brand Names
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 23
Lizk Serum
Propolis 20 BB Cream
Dr G Whitening FORTIFIER by EGF
ICEKING Freckle Removing Whitening Masque
Sooryehan Pure-Whitening Essential Starter
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF25 PA 2Plus
Reoganic EX Whitening Pore Care Deodorant
Cellbn Damage Overnight Recovery
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA 2Plus
Suyan Chungsoo
Hydro H
Recovery Balm
Cellxv Real Kelp Facial Mask
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoule
Cellbn Damage Anti-aging Eye Reviver
Obagi
Conju Princess BB
ICEKING Whitening Freckle Removing Essence
Return 10 Recovery Balm
DRH Whitening G2
The Oriental Gold BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
D-one By Tamdoan Sunscreen 50
Wonder Intensive BBCream 21 (Light)
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Medium
Cellbn Damage Multi Action Toner
Skin79 Snail Nutrition Bbcream
Suyan Jeongbaek
AHC Premium Intense Contour Balm
Liquid
AHC Vital Complex C-15 Ampoule
Absolute Total BB SPF37 PA 3Plus
AHC Phyto Complex Gel Ampoule
IASO White Science EX
IASO White Science EX Emulsion
Suyan Chungsyu
Vitabrid C12 FACE Pow der 3g
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
Cellbn Sp High Multi Serum
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