A Nearer Take a look at the Anticancer Properties of Methylene Blue

• Methylene blue targets completely different cancers — The evaluation lined several types of most cancers, together with colorectal tumors, melanoma and carcinoma, highlighting methylene blue’s potential to shrink tumors via 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 decreased 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 relatively than outright shrinkage. These outcomes present methylene blue has sturdy anticancer results, although its impression varies relying on tumor sort and drug supply technique.²

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

• Elevated bioavailability — In line with the researchers, the nano-based variations of methylene blue led to even larger tumor discount than conventional injections. As an illustration, a breast most cancers examine utilizing methylene blue-loaded nanoparticles resulted in full tumor eradication.⁵

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

• Outcomes are optimistic, however generally inconsistent — Whereas methylene blue photodynamic remedy was efficient in most research, the evaluation famous some inconsistencies. In a number of instances, 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 several tissue varieties. Some cancers might require modifications in dosing, supply strategies or extra mixture therapies to boost therapy results.⁷

• Improved antitumor response — Past its potential 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 possible explains why some tumors continued to shrink even after photodynamic remedy classes ended. Nevertheless, 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 evaluation. Not like 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 vital hurt to surrounding wholesome cells, making it a promising choice for sufferers who can not tolerate standard therapies. Moreover, methylene blue is comparatively cheap, that means it gives a extra reasonably priced different 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 proof against carboplatin, a chemotherapy drug generally used to deal with ovarian most cancers. This resistance is a significant downside in real-world therapy, as many sufferers finally cease responding to plain chemotherapy.

The examine 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 referred to as the Warburg impact, which prioritizes glucose fermentation over regular oxygen-based vitality manufacturing. This metabolic change permits tumors to develop quickly and resist many therapies.

With this in thoughts, the examine 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 tougher 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 answerable for oxygen discount.

In different phrases, methylene blue interfered with the tumor’s potential 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 in opposition to tumors.¹⁴

• Nearly unhazardous — Methylene blue didn’t trigger noticeable toxicity within the take a look at mice. Not like chemotherapy, which frequently results in extreme unintended 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 important 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 horny choice for future therapies.¹⁵

• Contraindications of methylene blue — It’s a potent monoamine oxidase sort A (MAO-A) inhibitor. Which means that 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 danger of hemolytic anemia (a blood dysfunction whereby your crimson 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 is going to most definitely shock you when it occurs.

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

• A notice for these with kidney harm — If in case you have extreme renal insufficiency, it will be smart to make use of methylene blue with warning and beneath shut medical supervision as impaired kidney perform influences how briskly medication clear out of your system.

• Different unintended effects of methylene blue — Examples embody 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, may happen. Complications and confusion have additionally been reported. Although much less widespread, cardiovascular results, akin to elevated blood strain and palpitations, might additionally happen.

• Low doses are higher — Methylene blue is healthier taken at small, day by day doses, starting from 5 to fifteen milligrams (mg), based on Dinkov, particularly for long-term use. That is the candy spot for the varied advantages of methylene blue with out growing 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 you need to ever use is the pharmaceutical-grade selection, ideally in strong, capsule or pill types. 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 attractive for therapeutic utilization, such a methylene blue usually accommodates extra dangerous contaminants, even posing severe 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 day by day walks by the ocean are extremely useful in managing reductive stress naturally.

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