What are the properties of Arbutin in supplements?

Arbutin

Hydroquinone O-beta-D-glucopyranoside is a monosaccharide derivative that is hydroquinone attached to a beta-D-glucopyranosyl residue at position 4 via a glycosidic linkage. It has a role as a plant metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a beta-D-glucoside and a monosaccharide derivative. It derives from a hydroquinone. Read more about Arbutin on ChEBI: 18305.

Arbutin

Arbutin, also known as arbutoside or beta-arbutin, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as phenolic glycosides. These are organic compounds containing a phenolic structure attached to a glycosyl moiety. Some examples of phenolic structures include lignans, and flavonoids. Among the sugar units found in natural glycosides are D-glucose, L-Fructose, and L rhamnose. Very tiny amounts of arbutin are found in wheat, pear skins, and some other foods. Arbutin is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). Arbutin is a bitter tasting compound. Outside of the human body, Arbutin is found, on average, in the highest concentration within a few different foods, such as bilberries, quinces, and pears. Arbutin has also been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as apples, lingonberries, sweet marjorams, asian pears, and milk (cow). This could make arbutin a potential biomarker for the consumption of these foods. Bearberry, which contains arbutin, is a traditional treatment for urinary tract infections. Bearberry extract is used in skin lightening treatments designed for long term and regular use. Arbutin is a glycoside; a glycosylated hydroquinone extracted from the bearberry plant in the genus Arctostaphylos among many other medicinal plants, primarily in the family Ericaceae. It is also found in Bergenia crassifolia. Arbutin is glucosylated hydroquinone, and may carry similar cancer risks, although there are also claims that arbutin reduces cancer risk. Arbutin was also produced by an in vitro culture of Schisandra chinensis. In vitro studies of human melanocytes exposed to arbutin at concentrations below 300 μg/mL reported decreased tyrosinase activity and melanin content with little evidence of cytotoxicity. Read more about Arbutin on HMDB: HMDB0029943.

Arbutin

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. 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. It has also been used as an anti-infective for the urinary system as well as a diuretic. Arbutin is available in both natural and synthetic forms; it can be synthesized from acetobromglucose and [DB09526]. Arbutin is a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase (E.C.1.14.18.1) in melanocytes, 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]. Read more about Arbutin on DrugBank: DB11217.