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Methylene Blue

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What is Methylene Blue?

Methylene blue is a century-old drug that was first produced in 1876. It was originally used as clinical medicine to treat various illnesses including malaria, septic shock, cancer chemotherapy, and Alzheimer’s disease. Methylene blue is what is known as a diaminophenothiazine with a low redox potential. This property makes it capable of facilitating electron transport in the mitochondria, which increases ATP production while reducing mitochondrial superoxide production.

Methylene blue (MB), a traditional mitochondrial-targeting antioxidant, showed a potent reactive oxygen species scavenging efficacy in cultured human skin fibroblasts derived from healthy donors and from patients with progeria, a genetic premature aging disease. In comparison with other widely used general and mitochondrial-targeting antioxidants, we found that MB was more effective in stimulating skin fibroblast proliferation and delaying cellular senescence.

Types of Aging

There are two main types of aging that applies to the skin and body as a whole: intrinsic and extrinsic.

Intrinsic

Aging refers to the more or less natural process of aging and physiological changes that occur with time. Examples being the general slowing of the metabolism and inefficient energy production otherwise necessary for skin regeneration.

Extrinsic

Aging refers to epigenetic or environmental factors that can negatively affect the physiology, contributing to aging. Some examples are chronic sun exposure, environmental toxins, and air pollution.

Oxidative stress is the major cause of skin aging that includes wrinkles, pigmentation, and weakened wound healing ability. As such, the application of antioxidants in skin care is well accepted as an effective approach to delay the skin aging process. 

Benefits of Methylene Blue

Methylene blue has been used as an antiseptic and antibacterial agent. It has demonstrated effectiveness against a variety of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains.

Methylene blue acts as a potent MAOI, which inhibits the breakdown of Serotonin, Dopamine and Norepinephrine, thus can be extremely beneficial in helping those suffering from low mood or anxiety by preventing the breakdown of these beneficial neurotransmitters.

Methylene blue acts as a potent antioxidant, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. This property can protect cells and tissues from oxidative damage, which is implicated in various diseases and the aging process.

Research suggests that methylene blue may have neuroprotective properties. It has been investigated for its potential to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by protecting neurons from damaging amyloid-β protein and promoting neuronal function by improving efficiency of the mitochondria.

Methylene blue may improve mitochondrial function, the energy-producing organelles within cells. By enhancing mitochondrial activity, methylene blue may boost cellular energy levels and overall metabolism.

Methylene blue has shown promise in enhancing cognitive function and memory. It has been studied for its potential to improve learning and memory retention, making it of interest for conditions such as dementia and age-related cognitive decline.

Methylene blue is used medically to treat methemoglobinemia, a condition in which there is an abnormal amount of methemoglobin in the blood, reducing its oxygen-carrying capacity. Methylene blue helps convert methemoglobin back to its normal form, restoring oxygen delivery to tissues.

Some studies have explored the potential anticancer properties of methylene blue. It has been investigated for its ability to inhibit cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in various types of cancer cells.

Methylene blue has been used historically in the treatment of malaria. While it is not typically used as a first-line treatment today, it has shown efficacy against malaria parasites and is sometimes used in combination therapies

Potential Side Effects

  • Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
  • Allergic reactions
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness 
  • Urine discoloration 
  • Low blood pressure
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