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
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucopyranoside
Hydroquinone-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
p-hydroxyphenyl β-D-glucoside
beta-Arbutin
4-Hydroxyphenyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside
hydroquinone O-β-D-glucopyranoside
Brand Names
Dr G Whitening FORTIFIER by EGF
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 23
IASO White Science EX Emulsion
The Prestige BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Suyan Jeongbaek
D-one By Tamdoan Sunscreen 50
Wonder Intensive BBCream 21 (Light)
Recovery Balm
Reoganic EX Whitening Pore Care Deodorant
Cellbn Damage Multi Action Toner
Cellbn Damage Deep Moisture
Elcure C White Serum
AHC Premium Intense Contour Balm
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Gold SPF25 PA 2Plus
The Oriental Gold BB SPF25 PA 2Plus
Vitabrid C12 FACE Pow der 3g
Return 10 Recovery Balm
Cellbn Damage Precious Serum
Obagi
IASO White Science EX
Dr G Whitening REFORMER by EGF
First C Superfull
D-one By Tamdoan Bb Medium
ICEKING Freckle Removing Whitening Masque
ICEKING Whitening Freckle Removing Essence
Skin-ion
Absolute Total BB SPF37 PA 3Plus
Suyan Chungsyu
Dr Young 2p Brightening UV Sun Block SPF50 PA
Tosowoong Mens Booster Repair Skin
OHUI White Extreme Illuminating Pact No.10
Skin79 Snail Nutrition Bbcream
Cathycat Chewy CREAM FOUNDATION SPF23 PA WHITENING ANTI WRINKLE 21
DRH Whitening G2
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm SPF25 PA 2Plus
SuperPlus Beblesh Balm Triple Functions SPF25 PA 2Plus
Cream
Propolis 20 BB Cream
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