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
Arbutin
beta-Arbutin
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
hydroquinone O-β-D-glucopyranoside
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucoside
Brand Names
Absolute Total BB SPF37 PA 3Plus
Liquid
Dr G Whitening FORTIFIER by EGF
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoule
First C Superfull
Hydro H
Skin79 Snail Nutrition Bbcream
Suyan Jeongbaek
The Oriental Gold BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Lizk Serum
Suyan Chungsoo
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA 2Plus
Cream
AHC Vital Complex C-15 Ampoule
Conju Princess BB
Abalone Crystaldouble EX Ampoule
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 23
OHUI White Extreme Illuminating Pact No.10
AHC Phyto Complex Gel Ampoule
Cellbn Damage Multi Action Toner
Super First C Serum Pure Vitamin C 13 Percent
The Prestige BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
IASO White Science EX Emulsion
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Light
ICEKING Whitening Freckle Removing Essence
Cellbn Sp Lifting Concentrateampoul
Cellxv Real Kelp Facial Mask
ICEKING Freckle Removing Whitening Masque
Sooryehan Pure Whitening
Tosowoong Mens Booster Repair Skin
D-one By Tamdoan Sunscreen 50
Dr G Whitening REFORMER by EGF
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Gold SPF25 PA 2Plus
IASO White Science EX
Cellbn Damage Anti-aging Eye Reviver
DRH Whitening G2
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Medium
Return 10 Recovery Balm
OHUI Sun Science Sun Block EX plus Beige
Suyan Chungsyu
Elcure C White Serum
Vitabrid C12 FACE Pow der 3g
Isaknox White Symphony Brightening Emulsion
Sooryehan Pure-Whitening Essential Starter
Derma Blemish Balm blemish balm
Cellbn Sp High Multi Serum
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
AHC Premium Intense Contour Balm
Super Plus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF50 Plus PA 3Plus (40g)
Obagi
Propolis 20 BB Cream
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