A Closer Look at the Anticancer Properties of Methylene Blue

• Methylene blue targets completely different cancers — The evaluation coated various kinds of most cancers, together with colorectal tumors, melanoma and carcinoma, highlighting methylene blue’s capability to shrink tumors by means of a extremely focused mechanism that spares wholesome tissue. A complete of 133 mice have been used, with 59 receiving methylene blue photodynamic remedy and 74 serving as untreated controls.¹

• Antitumor properties of methylene blue — The researchers discovered that methylene blue considerably lowered tumor sizes in seven of the ten research, with reductions starting from 12% to finish tumor elimination.

The most important results have been seen in colorectal most cancers fashions, the place tumors shrank by as much as 99.9%, whereas some breast most cancers fashions confirmed slower tumor development somewhat than outright shrinkage. These outcomes present methylene blue has sturdy anticancer results, although its influence varies relying on tumor sort and drug supply methodology.²

• Using mild to combat most cancers — Photodynamic remedy depends on methylene blue’s capability to soak up mild within the 630 to 680 nanometer wavelength vary. When uncovered to this particular sort of sunshine, methylene blue generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), extremely reactive molecules that destroy most cancers cells from inside.

This course of selectively targets tumor cells as a result of methylene blue accumulates in malignant tissue whereas sparing wholesome cells. The evaluate discovered that this light-activated destruction was significantly efficient in pores and skin and colorectal tumors, resulting in important tumor discount inside weeks of therapy.³

• Elevated bioavailability — Based on the researchers, the nano-based variations of methylene blue led to even higher tumor discount than conventional injections. As an example, a breast most cancers research utilizing methylene blue-loaded nanoparticles resulted in full tumor eradication.⁵

• Experiments in dosages — Tumor response additionally trusted the variety of methylene blue remedies administered. Whereas some research used a single injection, others administered as much as seven doses over time. Extra frequent remedies usually resulted in higher tumor shrinkage. For instance, one carcinoma mannequin that obtained seven doses confirmed considerably slower tumor progress in comparison with fashions that obtained just one or two doses.⁶

• Outcomes are optimistic, however typically inconsistent — Whereas methylene blue photodynamic remedy was efficient in most research, the evaluate famous some inconsistencies. In a number of circumstances, tumors didn’t shrink however as a substitute grew extra slowly than untreated tumors. This was noticed in some breast most cancers fashions, the place tumor discount was not as dramatic as in different cancers.

Researchers theorize that this variation is because of variations in how properly methylene blue is absorbed in numerous tissue varieties. Some cancers might require modifications in dosing, supply strategies or extra mixture therapies to reinforce therapy results.⁷

• Improved antitumor response — Past its capability to destroy most cancers cells, methylene blue additionally helps improve the immune system’s response to tumors. The meta-analysis reveals that ROS generated throughout photodynamic remedy triggers immune activation, serving to the physique acknowledge and assault remaining most cancers cells.

This immune-boosting impact probably explains why some tumors continued to shrink even after photodynamic remedy classes ended. Nonetheless, extra analysis is required to substantiate this mechanism to assist enhance long-term therapy outcomes.⁸

• Protected to make use of — Methylene blue’s security profile is one other benefit famous within the evaluate. In contrast to chemotherapy and radiation, which trigger widespread harm to wholesome cells, photodynamic remedy with methylene blue resulted in minimal unintended effects in animal fashions.

The therapy selectively focused cancerous tissue with out inflicting important hurt to surrounding wholesome cells, making it a promising choice for sufferers who can’t tolerate standard remedies. Moreover, methylene blue is comparatively cheap, that means it gives a extra reasonably priced various to costly focused most cancers therapies.⁹

• Methylene blue works as a chemotherapy adjunct — The researchers used an ovarian most cancers mannequin the place human tumor cells have been implanted into immunodeficient mice. These specific cells have been immune to carboplatin, a chemotherapy drug generally used to deal with ovarian most cancers. This resistance is a significant drawback in real-world therapy, as many sufferers finally cease responding to straightforward chemotherapy.

The research in contrast a number of therapy teams — mice receiving methylene blue alone, methylene blue mixed with carboplatin, carboplatin alone and an untreated management group. Tumors within the methylene blue group grew considerably slower than these within the management and carboplatin-only teams, demonstrating its effectiveness even in opposition to drug-resistant most cancers.¹²

• Most cancers cell vitality manufacturing is affected — Most cancers cells thrive on a dysfunctional metabolism often called the Warburg impact, which prioritizes glucose fermentation over regular oxygen-based vitality manufacturing. This metabolic swap permits tumors to develop quickly and resist many remedies.

With this in thoughts, the research discovered that methylene blue disrupted this course of, forcing most cancers cells to depend on oxygen-based vitality manufacturing once more. This shift places immense stress on the tumor cells, making it more durable for them to outlive and multiply.¹³

• Mitochondrial genes are focused — Most cancers cells handled with methylene blue had decrease expression of key respiratory chain genes, significantly these concerned in complicated IV, which is liable for oxygen discount.

In different phrases, methylene blue interfered with the tumor’s capability to effectively course of oxygen, additional disrupting its vitality provide. This impact was rather more pronounced in most cancers cells than in regular cells, reinforcing methylene blue’s selective motion in opposition to tumors.¹⁴

• Just about unhazardous — Methylene blue didn’t trigger noticeable toxicity within the take a look at mice. In contrast to chemotherapy, which frequently results in extreme unintended effects like weight reduction and immune suppression, mice receiving methylene blue maintained secure physique weight and confirmed no indicators of misery.

It is a vital benefit, as one of many greatest challenges in most cancers therapy is balancing effectiveness with affected person high quality of life. The flexibility to focus on tumors with out inflicting widespread harm makes methylene blue a gorgeous choice for future therapies.¹⁵

• Contraindications of methylene blue — It’s a potent monoamine oxidase sort A (MAO-A) inhibitor. Because of this when it’s mixed with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or different serotonergic medicine, your serotonin ranges can improve to harmful ranges.

Methylene blue can work together with different medicines, too, together with different antidepressants and antimalarials, altering their efficacy or inflicting opposed reactions. As well as, methylene blue is contraindicated for folks recognized with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency because of the threat of hemolytic anemia (a blood dysfunction whereby your purple blood cells break down quicker than your physique can exchange them).

• Your urine will flip blue — Remember that methylene blue can stain your urine and infrequently, your tongue. Whereas these results are innocent, it should most certainly shock you when it occurs.

• False pulse oximeter readings — Excessive doses also can intrude with pulse oximeter readings, because of its mild absorption properties, leading to falsely low oxygen saturation readings.

• A notice for these with kidney harm — When you’ve got extreme renal insufficiency, it will be smart to make use of methylene blue with warning and beneath shut medical supervision as impaired kidney operate influences how briskly medicine clear out of your system.

• Different unintended effects of methylene blue — Examples embrace gentle and transient gastrointestinal discomfort, akin to nausea and diarrhea. Whereas uncommon, a variety of allergic reactions, from pores and skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis, also can happen. Complications and confusion have additionally been reported. Although much less frequent, cardiovascular results, akin to elevated blood strain and palpitations, might additionally happen.

• Low doses are higher — Methylene blue is healthier taken at small, each day doses, starting from 5 to fifteen milligrams (mg), in keeping with Dinkov, particularly for long-term use. That is the candy spot for the varied advantages of methylene blue with out rising your serotonin ranges. Excessive doses of methylene blue are usually reserved for therapeutic purposes, and even then, it should be accomplished beneath the supervision of a medical practitioner.

• Purchase pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue — Out of the three, the one one it’s best to ever use is the pharmaceutical-grade selection, ideally in strong, capsule or pill kinds. Keep away from liquid options of methylene blue as dissolving it in water considerably decreases its effectiveness after 48 to 72 hours.

• Do not use methylene blue for aquariums — You have most likely seen methylene blue utilized in sustaining aquariums. That is as a result of it accommodates antifungal, antiparasitic and oxygen-transporting properties. Whereas these advantages additionally sound engaging for therapeutic utilization, this kind of methylene blue typically accommodates extra dangerous contaminants, even posing critical well being dangers to your aquatic pets.

By no means use methylene blue designed for aquariums or different animal-related purposes. To guard your well being, all the time select pharmaceutical-grade, because it undergoes rigorous testing to substantiate it’s free from impurities.

• Methylene blue will assist with reductive stress — Bear in mind to not over-rely on methylene blue to realize optimum well being. In my very own case, I’ve eradicated my common consumption of methylene blue. I discover that my each day walks by the ocean are extremely useful in managing reductive stress naturally.

Nonetheless, throughout instances after I’m unable to take a stroll by the seaside, I might contemplate taking 5 mg of methylene blue each day, adjusting to three mg if I have been 75 kilos lighter in weight, and doing so six days every week.