Methylene Blue 20mg x 100ct

Compound Name: Methylene Blue

Synonyms: Methylthioninium chloride, Basic blue 9, Urolene Blue, Solent blue 8

CAS Number: 61-73-4

Molecular Formula: C₁₆H₁₈CIN₃S, C₁₆H₁₈N₃S.Cl
Molecular Weight: ~319.85 g/mol

Structure: Organic chloride salt

Peptide Sequence: N/A; Not a peptide

Chemical Structure:

Source: PubChem

Mechanism of Action: Methylene blue primarily acts as a redox agent and selective inhibitor in the nitric oxide–cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO–cGMP) pathway by directly inhibiting soluble guanylate cyclase and nitric oxide synthase, resulting in reduced vasodilation. Additionally, it participates in mitochondrial electron transfer, supports cellular respiration, and interacts with monoamine oxidase A as an inhibitor^1-4.

Biological Activity: Methylene blue exhibits potent biological activity as both a redox agent and mitochondrial enhancer, promoting increased cellular respiration and decreased oxidative stress. It has demonstrated anti-aging effects by delaying cellular senescence, enhancing skin extracellular matrix components, and stimulating wound healing. Additionally, methylene blue provides neuroprotection by supporting mitochondrial function, reducing neuronal oxidative damage, and improving cognitive performance in experimental models^1-4.

Storage: Store at room temperature, protected from light and moisture.

Drug Categories: Antidote, Antimicrobial, Antimalarial, Vasopressor adjunct, Imaging agent, Antidepressant, Photodynamic therapy sensitizer

Additional Notes: Methylene blue can cause serotonin toxicity at higher doses and precipitate hemolytic anemia in patients with G6PD deficiency. Its pronounced blue color can stain biological tissues and fluids.

Summary Table:

Disclaimer: For Research Use Only. Not intended for human or veterinary use. This compound is supplied solely for laboratory and R&D purposes.

Detailed Product Description

Methylene blue is a multifaceted small molecule recognized for its historic clinical utility as a redox dye and medicinal antidote, as well as for its expanding therapeutic profile in modern biomedical research. At the cellular level, methylene blue enhances mitochondrial respiration by cycling electrons and increasing the efficiency of complex IV, thereby increasing ATP production and reducing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS)¹. These redox-modulating effects account for its robust anti-aging activity, including the delay of cellular senescence in human fibroblasts, improved cellular proliferation, upregulation of collagen and elastin in skin, and enhanced protection against environmental stressors and age-related decline^2-3. Increasing scientific attention has focused on methylene blue’s neuroprotective properties. It mitigates neurodegeneration by supporting mitochondrial energy metabolism, reducing oxidative damage, inhibiting tau aggregation linked to Alzheimer’s disease, and promoting neurogenesis and cognitive function in experimental models. Clinical and preclinical research further support its use in attenuating brain injury, enhancing wound healing, and improving age-associated cognitive performance. Methylene blue thus emerges as a unique compound bridging antidote, anti-aging agent, and neuroprotective therapeutic, with applications ranging from dermatology and regenerative medicine to neuroscience^1-3.

Research Highlights

• Anti-aging and Skin Longevity: Research demonstrates that methylene blue delays cellular senescence, stimulates fibroblast proliferation, reduces oxidative stress, upregulates Nrf2 and antioxidant genes, improves skin hydration and thickness, increases elastin and collagen production, and enhances wound healing, supporting its use as a promising anti-aging agent for skin care¹.
• Neuroprotective Effects: Acts as a mitochondrial electron carrier, supports complex IV activity, reduces oxidative damage, promotes neurogenesis, inhibits tau aggregation, and improves cognitive function; these properties are under investigation for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, stroke, and traumatic brain injury^2,4.
• Mitochondrial Function and Cellular Senescence: Methylene blue enhances mitochondrial respiration, increases oxygen consumption, boosts heme synthesis, and upregulates mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes, thereby delaying senescence in human cells and mitigating age-related mitochondrial decline³.
• Treatment of Cardiovascular Collapse and Shock: Featured as an adjunct for distributive shock in septic, anaphylactic, and drug-induced scenarios, methylene blue increases blood pressure, diminishes vasopressor requirements, and improves hemodynamic stability in refractory cases¹.

Mechanism of Action

NO-cGMP Pathway Inhibition

• Inhibits soluble guanylate cyclase, reducing cGMP production and reversing refractory vasodilation in shock (sepsis, anaphylaxis, drug-induced)^1-3.
• Suppresses nitric oxide synthase activity, limiting vasodilatory cascades, and stabilizes blood pressure by increasing systemic vascular resistance².

Mitochondrial Electron Transport Chain (ETC) Modulation

• Acts as an alternative electron carrier in the mitochondrial ETC, accepting electrons from NADH at complex I and directly transferring them to cytochrome c, effectively bypassing blockages in complexes I and III. This process increases the activity of complex IV, enhances ATP production, and significantly reduces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by preventing electron leakage, thereby supporting cellular energy metabolism and limiting oxidative damage².

Monoamine Oxidase A (MAO-A) Inhibition

• Inhibits MAO-A, raising levels of serotonergic neurotransmitters; clinically relevant for potential drug interactions and risk of serotonin toxicity³.

Photodynamic Activation

• Upon NIR light exposure, acts as a photosensitizer, generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that kill microbial and tumor cells^3,4.

Pharmacokinetic Profile

• Route of Administration: oral, topical
• Dosing Frequency: Varies by indication and route
• Half-Life: ~5-20 hours (route dependent, shorter for intravenous)

Formulation & Handling

• Store in tightly sealed containers, protected from light
• Use only for authorized research or laboratory applications

Selected Clinical Trial Activity

References

¹Lo, J. C. Y., Pickering, G. & Chang, A. A Review of Methylene Blue Treatment for Cardiovascular Collapse. J. Med. Toxicol. 9, 671–677 (2013).

²Atamna, H. et al. Methylene blue delays cellular senescence and enhances key mitochondrial biochemical pathways. FASEB J. 22, 703–712 (2008).

³Tucker, D., Lu, Y. & Zhang, Q. From Mitochondrial Function to Neuroprotection—an Emerging Role for Methylene Blue. Mol. Neurobiol. 55, 5137–5153 (2018).

⁴Xiong, Z. M. et al. Anti-Aging Potentials of Methylene Blue for Human Skin Longevity. Sci. Rep. 7, 2475 (2017).