Comparative stability of arbutin in Arctostaphylos uva-ursi by a new comprehensive stability-indicating HPLC method.

Analysis of bearberry leaves evidenced high variation in arbutin and hydroquinone levels, demonstrating the need for standardisation and control. The stability profiles of synthetic arbutin and the arbutin in bearberry leaves were considerably different and the results may be useful for determining the most appropriate conditions for extraction and production of bearberry-based formulations.