Evidence supporting the use of: Arbutin
For the body system: Bladder
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Arbutin is a naturally occurring glycoside found in plants such as bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), and has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine for supporting urinary tract and bladder health. The scientific basis for its use lies in its metabolism: when ingested, arbutin is hydrolyzed in the body to release hydroquinone, a compound with antimicrobial properties, particularly against pathogens in the urinary tract. Several in vitro and animal studies suggest that arbutin and its metabolites can inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly responsible for urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as Escherichia coli. Some clinical studies, mostly from Europe, have evaluated uva-ursi extracts (which contain arbutin) for the prevention of recurrent UTIs, with mixed but sometimes positive results. However, evidence from large-scale, rigorous clinical trials is limited, and concerns remain regarding the potential toxicity of hydroquinone with prolonged use. Regulatory authorities in some countries permit the use of uva-ursi and arbutin-containing products for short-term urinary tract support, but advise caution. In summary, while there is a plausible scientific mechanism and some supportive data, the overall quality and quantity of clinical evidence is moderate, justifying a mid-level evidence rating for arbutin's ability to support the bladder body system.
Other ingredients that support Bladder
AbutaAchyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Agrimony
Akebia
Alchemilla
Alchornea
Aletris
Alisma
Anserina
arbutin
asparagus
aucubin
bael
Baliospermum
balsam
Bassia scoparia
bearberry
Bergenia
bergenin
berry
beta-sitosterol
birch
bistort
black poplar
Blepharis
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
Bombax
Borassus aethiopum
bottle gourd
Brazilian peppertree
buchu
carrapicho
cedar
chanca piedra
chickweed
cleavers
Cnidium
Coconut Water
coix
common thatching grass
corktree
cornflower
cornsilk
costus
couch grass
cranberry
cranesbill
Crinum latifolium
cubeb
Cucurbita
D-mannose
damiana
dandelion
Dianthus
Didymocarpus
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
DL-Methionine
dodder
Dwarf Nettle
Echinodorus
elephant\'s head
Erigeron
European five-finger grass
Euryale seed
fireweed
fleabane
fringed pink
fringetree
fu ling
fungus
giant blazingstar
Glechoma hederacea
Glycosaminoglycans
Gnaphalium
gokhru
golden ragwort
golden shower tree
goldenrod
goldenseal
goldthread
gravel root
Guazuma ulmifolia
guelder rose
heather
Hedychium spicatum
herbal blend (proprietary)
horseradish
horsetail
hydrangea
Hygrophila
Indian bael
Indian sarsparilla
isothiocyanates
Japecanga
Jatoba
Java tea
joe-pye
juniper berries
Kalanchoe pinnatum
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
Kochia
labrador tea
Leptospermum scoparium
Lindera
Long Buchu
Longleaf buchu
lophatherum leaf
lovage
Lycopodium
Lygodium
Lysimachia
madder
Maidenhair Fern
mallow
Malva sylvestris
mannose
manzanita
Marshmallow
Matico
Maytenus ilicifolia
Meadowsweet
Methenamine
Mondo grass
Mucilage
Mugwort
Nasturtium
Nettle
Nigella seed
nut grass
Ocotillo
Operculina turpethum
Ovate Buchu
Palo Azul
Pareira
parsley
pear
Pedalium
Pellitory
Phellodendron
Phlomis umbrosa
Phragmites
Phyllanthus
Pipsissewa
Plantago
plantain
Polyporus
Potentilla
Pulsatilla
pumpkin
punarnava
pygeum
Pyrola
Pyrrosia
queen of the meadow
Rhus glabra
Rosa laevigata
Rubus
Rupturewort
Sanguisorba
Sargentodoxa
sarsaparilla
Sassafras
saw palmetto
Scirpus
Sensitive Plant
shepherd's purse
Silverweed
Smartweed
Soft rush
Sparganium
Speedwell
Spiny Restharrow
squawvine
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Stereospermum
Stone Root
Sweet Woodruff
Taraxacin
Taraxacum
Taraxol
Tiger Nut
Toadflax
Trailing Arbutus
Turtle Head
Varuna
Veronica
Viburnum
Wax Gourd
White Dead Nettle Flower
White oak
White Poplar
Wood betony
Yarrow
Yerba Mansa
Yin Chen
Zedoary