Uva Ursi: A Comprehensive Overview for Pharmaceutical Applications

Written by Emmanuella Ogbonna, BPharm; Reviewed by Danielle Kelvas, MD, for PTcell for Pharmaceutical Industries LL.C

Uva ursi (Bearberry) is a highly sought-after herbal material by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in Europe. (1)

The leaf of uva ursi is well known for treating and managing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and is marketed for this purpose in many supplements. (2) Recently, uva ursi has been included in multi-ingredient dietary supplements to promote wellness, improve energy, and induce weight loss. (2)

This article will examine uva ursi preparations, classifications, medicinal uses, extraction techniques, and quality control.

Botanical Classification and Characteristics

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi is a perennial plant in the family Ericaceae. It is barely taller than 6 inches and has flowers ranging from white to pink. It also has fruits called drupes that are bright red or pink.

Uva Ursi is the herbal product obtained from fresh or dried leaves of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. The bearberry plant is known for its grape-like clusters of orange berries.

This plant can be found in high and mid-latitudes in Europe, Asia, and North America. (3) In Europe, it is especially common in eastern countries like Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Spain. (4)

Other names for this herb include foxberry, crowberry, and kinnikinnick.

Major bioactive compounds

Arbutin is the main bioactive ingredient in uva ursi and the most abundant phytochemical compound in the plant. (2) Arbutin is hydrolyzed to hydroquinone, tannins, and terpenoids. (5)

Other bioactive compounds found in uva ursi include ursolic acid, tannic acid, gallic acids, flavonoids (i.e., quercetin, kaemferol, hyperoside, and picein), iridoids, organic acids, and vitamins. (2, 3)

Pharmaceutical uses of Uva Ursi

Studies have shown that extracts of uva ursi possess antibacterial, anti- inflammatory, diuretic, and antioxidant properties (3,6). Some pharmaceutical applications of uva ursi include:

Treatment of UTI

One of the biggest uses of uva ursi is tied to its use in treating and managing UTIs.
(7) In traditional medicine, uva ursi has been used to treat dysuria, cystitis, urethritis, and bladder stones owing to its significant antibacterial activity, especially against E. coli. (7,8) This herb can also manage recurrent infections in the lower urinary tract and acute UTIs. (7,9)

Uva ursi is widely used in Europe to manage UTIs. (5) The German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices has approved the use of bearberry leaf extract in urinary tract inflammation. (5)

Studies suggest that the antibacterial and astringent properties of uva ursi are due to its arbutin content and diuretic properties. (5) There are also reports that the phytochemicals in uva ursi act as multidrug resistance inhibitors or modulators to augment the effect of commonly used antibiotics. (7)

Skin Lightening and Treatment of Skin Conditions

The high antioxidant property of uva ursi makes it a potential active ingredient in the cosmetic industry. (4) In fact, studies suggest that the wide range of antioxidants found in uva ursi extracts can interact with each other, leading to antioxidant synergy. (4)

α-arbutin, found in uva ursi, is used in skin-brightening products as an alternative to synthetic hydroquinone. (3)

Beyond their skin-brightening effects, uva ursi extracts have demonstrated antibacterial properties, making them useful in acne management. (10) In addition, they may help reduce skin inflammation by inhibiting the release of inflammatory markers. (11)

Other Potential Uses

Other potential benefits of uva ursi include lowering blood glucose, managing diarrhea, and acting as a diuretic to support urinary health. (12)

Quality Control and Standardization of Uva Ursi

The main compound used for the standardization of uva ursi leaves is arbutin. (13) According to the European Pharmacopoeia, the Arbutin content in the dried leaf of uva-ursi must be at least 7% (wt/wt). (14)

Studies show that the geographical sites and season of plant collection can affect the arbutin content of the bearberry plant. (15) Some researchers suggest that autumn is the best period for the collection of plant material to get the highest yield of arbutin. (15)

Other factors affecting arbutin content include soil type, characteristic vegetation, and climatic conditions. (3) Given the variation in the potency of bearberry plant material, it's important to choose products from reputable sources that have been standardized and properly collected. (3)

Two common techniques used in the standardization of uva ursi include (12):
● Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC)
● High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)

Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) regulates the use of uva ursi in Europe.
(9) According to the agency, evidence suggests uva ursi has been used safely for at least 30 years to manage UTIs. However, it warns against its use in women with kidney disorders. (9)

While generally regarded as safe when used at the recommended dose, uva ursi may lead to side effects such as (9, 16) :
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Stomach ache
● Greenish brown coloration of urine

Future Prospects of Uva Ursi Extract

Researchers are identifying new ways to improve the bioaccessibility of phytochemicals in uva-ursi, particularly its antioxidant activity. This could mean more potent antioxidant effects and better therapeutic impact. (2)

Beyond phytopharmaceutical purposes, there is a growing interest in the use of bearberry herbal products in functional foods. (2)

1. Sugier, P., Sęczyk, Ł., Sugier, D.,et al. (2021). Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. at the Southern Border of the Geographical Range of the Species in Europe. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(24), 7692 2. Sęczyk, Ł., Sugier, D., & Sugier, P. (2024). Effect of the Type of Herbal Preparations (Powdered Plant Material vs. Dry Ethanolic Extracts) on the Bioaccessibility of Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng.) Phytochemicals in Simulated Digestion Conditions. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 29(24), 5968 3. Sugier, P., Sęczyk, Ł., Sugier, D., et al. (2021). Chemical Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi L. Spreng. at the Southern Border of the Geographical Range of the Species in Europe. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(24), 7692 4. Wrona, M., Blasco, S., Becerril, R., Nerin, C., Sales, E., & Asensio, E. (2019). Antioxidant and antimicrobial markers by UPLC®-ESI-Q-TOF-MSE of a new multilayer active packaging based on Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Talanta, 196, 498–509 5. Trill, J., Simpson, C., Webley, F., et al. (2017). Uva-ursi extract and ibuprofen as alternative treatments of adult female urinary tract infection (ATAFUTI): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 18(1), 421 6. Tóth, B., Jávorházy, A., Nyirády, P., et al. (2022). Bearberry in the treatment of acute uncomplicated cystitis (BRUMI): protocol of a multicentre, randomized double-blind clinical trial. BMJ open, 12(6), e057982 7. Das, S. Natural therapeutics for urinary tract infections—a review. Futur J Pharm Sci 6, 64 (2020). 8. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Uva Ursi. 9. European Medicine Agency. Uvae ursi folium - herbal medicinal product 10. Dell'Annunziata, F., Cometa, S., Della Marca, et al . (2022). In Vitro Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Leaf Extract against Cutibacterium acnes. Pharmaceutics, 14(9), 1952 11. Koch, W., Zagórska, J., Michalak-Tomczyk, M., Karav, S., & Wawruszak, A. (2024). Plant Phenolics in the Prevention and Therapy of Acne: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules, 29(17), 4234 12. Kravchenko, G., Krasilnikova, O., Raal, A., et al. (2022). Arctostaphylos uva- ursi L. leaves extract and its modified cysteine preparation for the management of insulin resistance: Chemical analysis and bioactivity. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 12(30) 13. Asensio, E., Vitales, D., Pérez, I., et al. (2020). Phenolic Compounds Content and Genetic Diversity at Population Level across the Natural Distribution Range of Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Ericaceae) in the Iberian Peninsula. Plants (Basel, Switzerland), 9(9), 1250 14. Panusa, A., Petrucci, R., Marrosu, G., Multari, G., & Gallo, F. R. (2015). UHPLC-PDA-ESI-TOF/MS metabolic profiling of Arctostaphylos pungens and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. A comparative study of phenolic compounds from leaf methanolic extracts. Phytochemistry, 115, 79–88. 15. Parejo, I., Viladomat, F., Bastida, J., & Codina, C. (2001). A single extraction step in the quantitative analysis of arbutin in bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva- ursi) leaves by high-performance liquid chromatography. Phytochemical analysis : PCA, 12(5), 336–339 16. De Arriba, S. G., Naser, B., & Nolte, K.-U. (2013). Risk assessment of free hydroquinone derived from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi folium herbal preparations. International Journal of Toxicology, 32(6), 442–453