Arbutin IUPAC name (2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-2-Hydroxymethyl-6- (4-hydroxyphenoxy)oxane-3,4,5-triol Other names Arbutoside Hydroquinone -D-glucopyranoside Identifiers CAS number 497-76-7 Properties

Molecular formula C12H16O7 Molar mass 272.25 g mol1 Melting point 199.5 C, 473 K, 391 F Arbutin is both an ether and a glycoside; a glycosylated hydroquinone extracted from bearberry plant in the genus Arctostaphylos. It inhibits tyrosinase and thus prevents the formation of melanin. Arbutin is therefore used as a skin-lightening agent. Arbutin is found in wheat, and is concentrated in pear skins. It is also found in Bergenia crassifolia.[1]

Skin lightening agent

Bearberry extract is used in skin lightening treatments designed for long term and regular use. An active agent in brands of skin lightening preparations, it is more expensive than traditional skin lightening ingredients like hydroquinone, which is now banned in many countries. In vitro studies of human melanocytes exposed to arbutin at concentrations below 300 g/mL reported decreased tyrosinase activity and melanin content with little evidence of cytotoxicity.[2]

^ Carmen Pop, Laurian Vlase, Mircea Tamas (2009). "Natural Resources Containing Arbutin. Determination of Arbutin in the Leaves of Bergenia crassifolia (L.) Fritsch. acclimated in Romania". Not. Bot. Hort. Agrobot. Cluj 37 (1): 129132. http://notulaebotanicae.ro/nbha/article/viewFile/3108/2947.

 ^ Arbutin, Supporting Nomination for Toxicological Evaluation by the National Toxicology Program