Methylene Blue

Shen, J., Xin, W., Li, Q., Gao, Y., Yuan, L., & Zhang, J. (2019). Methylene Blue Reduces Neuronal Apoptosis and Improves Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity After Traumatic Brain Injury. Frontiers in Neurology, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2019.01133.

This study looked at methylene blue (MB) and its effects on brain injuries. They wanted to see if MB could help with the damage that happens to brain cells when they don't get enough oxygen and sugar. They tested it in lab dishes with brain cells and also in animals with brain injuries.

They found that MB helped the brain cells work better by improving their energy production. It also reduced the number of cells that died and helped protect the blood-brain barrier.

In animals with brain injuries, MB improved their memory, movement, and overall health.

The researchers think that MB could be a helpful treatment for brain injuries.

Bhurtel S, Katila N, Neupane S, Srivastav S, Park PH, Choi DY. Methylene blue protects dopaminergic neurons against MPTP-induced neurotoxicity by upregulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2018 Nov;1431(1):58-71. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13870. Epub 2018 Jun 7. PMID: 29882218.

Scientists looked at the effects of an older compound called methylene blue (MB) on Parkinson's disease. They wanted to see if MB could protect the brain from damage caused by a toxin called MPTP, which is known to harm brain cells and mitochondria. The results showed that MB not only protected brain cells from MPTP, but it also improved the function of mitochondria. This means that MB could be a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease by not only safeguarding brain cells but also by supporting the proper functioning of the mitochondria in those cells.

Callaway, N., Riha, P., Wrubel, K., McCollum, D., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2002). Methylene blue restores spatial memory retention impaired by an inhibitor of cytochrome oxidase in rats. Neuroscience Letters, 332, 83-86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-3940(02)00827-3.

This study looked at how methylene blue can help improve memory in rats. They first used a chemical called sodium azide to block an important enzyme in the rats' cells, which caused memory problems. Then, they gave the rats methylene blue after a learning task, and it completely fixed their memory problems.

The researchers think that methylene blue helps the cells in the brain work better by improving how they use oxygen, and this could be helpful for memory problems in diseases that affect the brain.

Huang Q, Fu WL, Chen B, Huang JF, Zhang X, Xue Q. Inactivation of dengue virus by methylene blue/narrow bandwidth light system. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2004 Dec 2;77(1-3):39-43. doi: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2004.08.005. PMID: 15542360; PMCID: PMC7129913.

Scientists wanted to find a safer way to disinfect hospitals and public places without harming the environment. They tested a method using a special LED matrix light box and a compound called methylene blue to kill viruses. They used dengue virus as a model for their tests. The results showed that when they used higher concentrations of methylene blue and kept the virus close to the light, it was completely killed in a short time. This method could be a powerful and easy way to get rid of viruses like dengue.

Yang SH, Li W, Sumien N, Forster M, Simpkins JW, Liu R. Alternative mitochondrial electron transfer for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cancers: Methylene blue connects the dots. Prog Neurobiol. 2017 Oct;157:273-291. doi: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.10.005. Epub 2015 Nov 18. PMID: 26603930; PMCID: PMC4871783.

The brain needs a lot of energy to work properly, and it gets this energy from glucose. But in some diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the brain's energy production decreases, causing problems. On the other hand, cancers, like glioblastoma, use a lot of glucose to grow fast. There is a special process in the cells that can make energy from glucose, called aerobic glycolysis. Methylene blue, an older compound, can help with this process by transferring electrons in the cells, which makes the cells use oxygen better. This helps increase the energy production and decrease the growth of cancer cells. Methylene blue also protects the brain cells from damage and can be helpful in treating diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. So, by helping the mitochondria, methylene blue can be a helpful treatment for these diseases and slow down the growth of certain cancers.

Riha, P., Bruchey, A., Echevarria, D., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2005). Memory facilitation by methylene blue: dose-dependent effect on behavior and brain oxygen consumption.. European journal of pharmacology, 511 2-3, 151-8 . https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EJPHAR.2005.02.001.

This study looked at how methylene blue can help improve memory in rats. They found that when rats were given a certain dose of methylene blue after learning tasks, their memory got better. They tested different doses of methylene blue to see which one worked best without causing other problems.

The results showed that the 4 mg/kg dose of methylene blue was the most effective in improving memory without causing any other issues. They also found that this dose of methylene blue increased the brain's use of oxygen, which may be why it helps with memory.

Riha, P., Rojas, J., & Gonzalez-Lima, F. (2011). Beneficial network effects of methylene blue in an amnestic model. NeuroImage, 54, 2623-2634. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2010.11.023.

This study looked at how methylene blue (MB) can improve memory in rats. They found that when a part of the brain called the PCC was not working well, it caused memory problems. But when they gave the rats MB, it helped their memory and protected their brain cells. MB works by improving the brain's energy and reducing damage caused by problems in the brain's energy production. The results suggest that MB could be a potential treatment to help improve memory in people as well.

Yin, S., Shao, J., Wang, X., Yin, X., Li, W., Gao, Y., de-la-Paz, O., Shi, H., & Li, S. (2019). Methylene blue exerts rapid neuroprotective effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced behavioral deficits in mice. Behavioural Brain Research, 356, 288-294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.037.Depression

Depression is a condition that affects the brain and can cause memory problems and other issues. Scientists wanted to see if methylene blue could help with depression and memory troubles in mice. They gave some mice a substance called LPS to make them feel depressed and have memory problems. Then they gave some mice methylene blue before giving them the LPS. The mice that received methylene blue had fewer problems with depression and memory compared to the mice that only got LPS. Methylene Blue seemed to protect the mice's brain and make them feel better.

Poteet E, Winters A, Yan LJ, Shufelt K, Green KN, Simpkins JW, Wen Y, Yang SH. Neuroprotective actions of methylene blue and its derivatives. PLoS One. 2012;7(10):e48279. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048279. Epub 2012 Oct 31. PMID: 23118969; PMCID: PMC3485214.

Researchers looked at a compound called methylene blue (MB) and its related compounds. They found that MB is commonly used in medical procedures and can act as an alternative electron transfer carrier in our mitochondria. This means it helps improve the way our cells use oxygen and protects them from certain toxins that can cause damage. MB also has antioxidant properties, which means it can reduce harmful substances in our cells. The study showed that MB can reduce the production of harmful superoxide in mitochondria and provide protection to brain cells against certain toxins. They also found that small changes in the structure of MB can greatly affect its protective abilities. Overall, this research suggests that MB could be a valuable tool in improving cellular energy and protecting our cells from damage.

Wen Y, Li W, Poteet EC, Xie L, Tan C, Yan LJ, Ju X, Liu R, Qian H, Marvin MA, Goldberg MS, She H, Mao Z, Simpkins JW, Yang SH. Alternative mitochondrial electron transfer as a novel strategy for neuroprotection. J Biol Chem. 2011 May 6;286(18):16504-15. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M110.208447. Epub 2011 Mar 18. PMID: 21454572; PMCID: PMC3091255.

Scientists have been trying different ways to protect the brain from neurological diseases for the past 20 years, but so far, none of the treatments have been successful in clinical trials. In this study, they explored a compound called methylene blue (MB) and found that it works differently from traditional antioxidants. MB acts as a special carrier, helping cells produce energy by accepting and transferring electrons. This unique mechanism makes MB protective against various insults to brain cells at very low doses.

The researchers tested MB in the lab and in two animal models of neurological diseases: Parkinson's disease and cerebral ischemia (a type of stroke). In both cases, MB showed promising results. It improved behavior, protected brain cells, and reduced damage caused by harmful substances.

The study suggests that MB and similar compounds could be a new and effective strategy for protecting the brain from chronic and acute neurological diseases that involve problems with cell energy production. This finding opens up new possibilities for developing treatments to help people with these conditions.