Evidence supporting the use of: Arbutin
For the health condition: Urinary Tract Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Arbutin, a glycoside extracted mainly from the leaves of the bearberry plant (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), has a longstanding history of traditional use in the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Its use dates back to at least the 18th and 19th centuries in European herbal medicine, where bearberry leaves were commonly prescribed for urinary ailments. The rationale is that arbutin, when ingested, is hydrolyzed in the body to hydroquinone, which has mild antiseptic properties in the urinary tract. This traditional use led to the inclusion of bearberry and arbutin-containing products in various pharmacopeias for urinary complaints. However, while some in vitro and animal studies suggest antimicrobial effects, robust clinical evidence in humans is limited. Few controlled clinical trials exist, and those available are generally small and methodologically weak, showing only modest or inconclusive support for efficacy. Modern guidelines do not recommend arbutin or bearberry as standard therapy for UTIs due to insufficient high-quality evidence. In summary, arbutin’s use for UTIs is primarily justified by tradition and historical precedent, with only low-level scientific support at this time.

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Products containing Arbutin

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