A Nearer Take a 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 had 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 decreased tumor sizes in seven of the ten research, with reductions starting from 12% to finish tumor elimination.

The most important results had 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 quite than outright shrinkage. These outcomes present methylene blue has robust anticancer results, although its affect varies relying on tumor sort and drug supply technique.²

• The usage of gentle to battle most cancers — Photodynamic remedy depends on methylene blue’s capability to soak up gentle 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 assessment discovered that this light-activated destruction was notably efficient in pores and skin and colorectal tumors, resulting in important tumor discount inside weeks of therapy.³

• Elevated bioavailability — In response to the researchers, the nano-based variations of methylene blue led to even larger 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 relied on 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 larger tumor shrinkage. For instance, one carcinoma mannequin that acquired seven doses confirmed considerably slower tumor progress in comparison with fashions that acquired just one or two doses.⁶

• Outcomes are optimistic, however typically inconsistent — Whereas methylene blue photodynamic remedy was efficient in most research, the assessment famous some inconsistencies. In a couple of circumstances, tumors didn’t shrink however as an alternative 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 nicely methylene blue is absorbed in numerous tissue varieties. Some cancers could require modifications in dosing, supply strategies or further mixture therapies to boost 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 exhibits that ROS generated throughout photodynamic remedy triggers immune activation, serving to the physique acknowledge and assault remaining most cancers cells.

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

• Secure to make use of — Methylene blue’s security profile is one other benefit famous within the assessment. Not like chemotherapy and radiation, which trigger widespread harm to wholesome cells, photodynamic remedy with methylene blue resulted in minimal negative 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 not tolerate typical 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 had been implanted into immunodeficient mice. These explicit cells had been immune to carboplatin, a chemotherapy drug generally used to deal with ovarian most cancers. This resistance is a serious downside 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 towards drug-resistant most cancers.¹²

• Most cancers cell vitality manufacturing is affected — Most cancers cells thrive on a dysfunctional metabolism generally known as 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, notably 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 way more pronounced in most cancers cells than in regular cells, reinforcing methylene blue’s selective motion towards tumors.¹⁴

• Just about unhazardous — Methylene blue didn’t trigger noticeable toxicity within the check mice. Not like chemotherapy, which regularly results in extreme negative effects like weight reduction and immune suppression, mice receiving methylene blue maintained steady physique weight and confirmed no indicators of misery.

This can be a crucial benefit, as one of many largest challenges in most cancers therapy is balancing effectiveness with affected person high quality of life. The power to focus on tumors with out inflicting widespread harm makes methylene blue a sexy choice for future therapies.¹⁵

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

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

• Your urine will flip blue — Bear in mind that methylene blue can stain your urine and sometimes, your tongue. Whereas these results are innocent, it’ll almost definitely shock you when it occurs.

• False pulse oximeter readings — Excessive doses may intervene with pulse oximeter readings, on account of its gentle absorption properties, leading to falsely low oxygen saturation readings.

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

• Different negative effects of methylene blue — Examples embrace delicate and transient gastrointestinal discomfort, corresponding to nausea and diarrhea. Whereas uncommon, a variety of allergic reactions, from pores and skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis, may happen. Complications and confusion have additionally been reported. Although much less widespread, cardiovascular results, corresponding to elevated blood stress and palpitations, might additionally happen.

• Low doses are higher — Methylene blue is healthier taken at small, every day doses, starting from 5 to fifteen milligrams (mg), in line 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 have to be performed beneath the supervision of a medical practitioner.

• Purchase pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue — Out of the three, the one one it is best to ever use is the pharmaceutical-grade selection, ideally in stable, 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’ve got in all probability seen methylene blue utilized in sustaining aquariums. That is as a result of it incorporates antifungal, antiparasitic and oxygen-transporting properties. Whereas these advantages additionally sound attractive for therapeutic utilization, this sort of methylene blue typically incorporates further 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, at all times select pharmaceutical-grade, because it undergoes rigorous testing to verify it’s free from impurities.

• Methylene blue will assist with reductive stress — Keep in mind to not over-rely on methylene blue to attain optimum well being. In my very own case, I’ve eradicated my common consumption of methylene blue. I discover that my every 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 seashore, I’d take into account taking 5 mg of methylene blue every day, adjusting to three mg if I had been 75 kilos lighter in weight, and doing so six days per week.