Uvae ursi folium

UVA URSI, Bearberry Leaf, Uvae ursi folium, Arctostaphylos uva ursi (L.) Spreng, family Ericaceae. The dried leaves constitute the drug. Besides arbutin (not less than 8%) and methylarbutin, the leaves also contain tannins. 1.5-4.0g dried leaves given by infusion three times daily gives an antiseptic effect (by hydrolysis to hydroquinone) in the urinary tract, when the urine is kept alkaline. The maximal antibacterial effect is reached about 3 hours after administration. 

Uvae ursi folium Arctostaphylos tiva-ursi (L.) 4%-15%... 

Picein (piceoside), a p-hydroxyacetophenone glucoside, has been identified in Salix cinerea, Uvae ursi folium and in sprouts of Finus picea L. and Picea species. 

Vitis idaeae folium (1) and Uvae ursi folium (2) are characterized by the prominent distinct blue arbutin zone at R, 0.4 (Tl). 

Uvae ursi folium (2) and Myrtilli folium (3) also. show their principal fl.avonol glycosides in the R, range of the hyperexside test (T2) accompanied by minor orange zones directly below, as in sample 2, and above, a.s in sample 3. 

The flavonoid glyco.sides in Uvae ursi folium are due to quercetin-3-P-D-6 -0-galloyl-galactosicle, hyperoside (.>1%), isoquercitrin, quercitrin and myricetrin. 

Paper, D., J. Koehler, and G. Franz. 1993. Bioavailability of drug preparations containing a leaf extract from Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (Uvae ursi folium). Planta Med. 59 A589. 

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