Arbutin
Arbutin Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.
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 Hydroquinone. 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 Hydroquinone . 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 Hydroquinone .
At non-toxic concentrations, arbutin inhibited the activity of tyrosinase in cultured human keratinocytes, while having minimal effect on the expression of tyrosinase mRNA or the synthesis of the enzyme . α-Arbutin produced a concentration-dependent inhibition of melanin synthesis of human melanoma cells, HMV-II . No inhibitory effect on HMV-II cell growth was seen at concentrations lower than 1.0 mM. At concentrations of 0.5 mM of arbutin, tyrosinase activity was reduced to 60% of that in non-treated cells . The addition of arbutin blocked and inhibited α-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells, brownish guinea pig, and human skin tissue . In a pilot study of healthy male adults exposed to UV B irradiation, topical administration of arbutin inhibited UV-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation in human keratinocytes . In mouse skin, arbutin counteracted oxidative stress induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate .
| Trade Name | Arbutin |
| Generic | Arbutin |
| Arbutin Other Names | beta-Arbutin |
| Type | |
| Formula | C12H16O7 |
| Weight | Average: 272.2512 Monoisotopic: 272.089602866 |
| Protein binding | No pharmacokinetic data available. |
| Groups | Approved |
| Therapeutic Class | |
| Manufacturer | |
| Available Country | |
| Last Updated: | September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am |
Uses
Indicated for over-the-counter use for epidermal hyperpigmentation in various skin conditions, such as melasma, freckles, and senile lentigines.
Arbutin is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Mild Lower Urinary Tract Infection
How Arbutin works
Arbutin is a hydroquinone glycoside, however the hydroquinone moiety is not solely responsible for the de-pigmentating actions of arbutin . It acts as a competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase enzyme by acting on the L-tyrosine binding site to suppress melanogenesis and mediate its de-pigmenting actions on human skin . Tyrosinase is an enzyme involved in the regulation of rate-limiting steps during the synthesis of melanin; it regulates the conversion of L-tyrosine into L-dopa, and subsequent conversion of L-dopa to L-dopaquinone . Via inhibition of tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner, arbutin attenuates the production of melanin in melanocytes. While most studies suggest that arbutin has negligible effect on the tyrosinase mRNA expression, a study assessing the effect of arbutin on melanocyte differentiation inducement system using ES cells propose that arbutin may also downregulate the expression of tyrosinase in addition to its inhibitory action on the enzyme . The contradictory findings across studies may be due to previous studies using terminally-differentiated melanocytes and melanoma cells .
Toxicity
In an acute oral toxicity study, the LD50-value for β-arbutin is 9804 mg/kg bw for the mouse and 8715 mg/kg bw for the rat . Dermal LD50 value in rat and mouse was reported to be greater than 928 mg/kg bw, according to an acute dermal toxicity study . Extremely high doses may cause ringing in the ears, shortness of breath, convulsions, collapse, vomiting and delirium . Nausea and vomiting were seen individuals with sensitive stomachs following oral ingestion of 15 g of dried uva ursi leaves that contain arbutin .
Food Interaction
No interactions found.Volume of Distribution
No pharmacokinetic data available.
Elimination Route
Arbutin was found to be extensively absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract where it is primarily converted to hydroquinone .
Half Life
No pharmacokinetic data available.
Clearance
No pharmacokinetic data available.
Elimination Route
During the first 4 hours following ingestion of a single dose of 210 mg arbutin in healthy volunteers, 224.5 μmol/L hydroquinone glucuronide and 182 μmol/L of hydroquinone sulfate were recovered in the urine .
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