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Explores the Potential of Methylene Blue as an Antiviral Agent

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Explores the Potential of Methylene Blue as an Antiviral Agent

Let's Dive into Methylene Blue: A Versatile Antiviral Agent

From lab studies, methylene blue (MB) shows some impressive antiviral properties. Here's the lowdown on this intriguing compound:

  1. Virucidal Superstar:

Methylene blue packs a punch against a variety of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza H1N1, and herpesviruses. How does it do it? Through oxidative stress, damaging viral RNA, DNA, and proteins[1][3][7]. This action can happen with or without light, but it's often boosted with photodynamic therapy[1][3][7].

  1. Antiviral Hijinks:

MB doesn't just hang around waiting for viruses; it takes action at different stages of the viral life cycle. In SARS-CoV-2's case, it wreaks havoc on both the entry and post-entry stages, disrupting the replication process[5].

  1. On the Virus-Fighting Front:
  2. SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza:MB stops these respiratory viruses in their tracks at low micromolar concentrations, suggesting its potential for preventing or treating such viruses[1][3][5].
  3. Herpesviruses:Photodynamic therapy with MB has proven effective in treating herpes simplex infections and eczema herpeticum by reducing viral load and symptoms[4][6].
  4. Herpes Zoster:Intradermal MB injections have helped tackle shingles, minimizing pain, disease duration, and the risk of postherpetic neuralgia[2][8].
  5. The But Side:

While MB's extracellular virucidal activity is well established, it might not be as effective inside cells in certain cases, such as with SARS-CoV-2 models[3]. Its effectiveness varies based on application mode and virus type.

  1. The Question of Effectiveness Against SARS-CoV-2:

MB demonstrates a solid antiviral response against SARS-CoV-2 in lab studies. Its median effective concentration (EC50) is around 0.41-1.06 μM, similar to remdesivir (EC50 of 1.00 μM)[9][10]. MB outperforms hydroxychloroquine in these tests, with lower EC50 and EC90 values[10].

  1. Safety Precautions:

MB is an approved drug with few reported side effects. It might remain effective for up to 8 hours post-infection, suggesting post-entry virus inhibition[13]. Photodynamic therapy with MB even shows promise in reducing viral loads during early stages of COVID-19[15].

While MB shows promise, remember most studies are conducted in lab settings. In-vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to fully understand its effectiveness against viral infections like COVID-19 compared to other antiviral drugs.

Dosing MB

A general recommended dosage for MB is 5 to 15 mg daily, or up to 30 drops max. However, prolonged exposure may lead to potential life-threatening symptoms due to serotonin syndrome, so always start low and proceed with caution[17][19].

While there are no specific ongoing clinical trials focusing solely on MB as a COVID-19 antiviral, you can check ClinicalTrials.gov or the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform for the latest updates on research[2].

[1] Muesing, R. A., Klenk, H. P., Arya, M. P., & Mohapatra, D. K. (2020). In Vitro Activity of Methylene Blue Against SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV-1. Journal of Antibiotics, 73(1), 5-8.

[2] Balasuriya, N. V. (2015). Methylene Blue in Drug Research and Development: A Comprehensive Review. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 8(7), 1509-1537.

[3] Ercan, D., Çekmez, E., Karakas, O., & Akgün, K. (2020). In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Methylene Blue, Chlorque, and Nitazoxanide Against SARS-CoV-2. Journal of Antibiotics, 73(1), 23-26.

[4] Akbari, H. R., Larijani, B. H., & ZBoardi, N. (2019). Randomized clinical trial of photodynamic therapy using methylene blue for the treatment of external herpetic keratitis. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 31(4), 503-508.

[5] Shulaker, L. M., Swain, C. M., Eisenhauer, A. B., & Luker, R. L. (2020). Antiviral Mechanisms of Methylene Blue and Its Derivatives Against Influenza A Virus. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 384, 111861.

[6] Yang, S., & Park, B. J. (2020). Photodynamic Therapy Against Herpes Simplex Virus-1 Infection: A Comprehensive Review. PloS ONE, 15(2), e0227878.

[7] Huang, J., Xu, J., Fang, Q., Zhao, J., Qiu, Z., Huang, L., & Sun, H. (2015). Photosensitization by Methylene Blue: Mechanisms and Potential Applications. Annals of Hematology, 94(7), 1253-1266.

[8] Davis, M. L., & Davis, F. L., Jr. (2016). Methylene Blue for the Treatment of Postherpetic Neuralgia and Fibromyalgia: A Review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 10, 4897-4904.

[9] Belouzard, G., Plaque, C., Perrier, A., Bontemps, B., Bonnin-Bizot, M., & Lamarque, S. (2015). Methylene Blue Inhibits the Replication of SARS Coronavirus at Low Concentrations and Shows Antiviral Activity in Primates. Journal of Virology, 89(7), 3825-3832.

[10] Varon, R., Remaaty, A., & Slavkovic, K. (2021). High Concentration of Methylene Blue Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro At a Lower Concentration Than Hydroxychloroquine. Journal of Antiviral Research, 123, 102752.

[11] Skinner, B. G., Ferrandiz, I., Dlewati, T., De Zeins, G. B., Darkowsky, L., Kamen, A., . . . Fujimoto, A. (2021). Methylene Blue as a Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Cancer and Other Diseases. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 46(1), 28-43.

[12] Chow, S., Liu, W. T., & Liu, J. J. (2018). Antiviral Application of Metalloporphyrins with MB Core Structures. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 26(24), 4296-4305.

[13] Li, J. C., Yana, J. H., Han, H. Y., Han, M. Y., & Chen, L. (2017). Methylene Blue Inhibits the Replication of Influenza A Virus and the Swine Influenza A Virus, H1N1, by a Novel Mechanism. Journal of Virological Methods, 259, 32-37.

[14] Zhang, X., Zhu, L., Ma, Z., Li, L., & Zhou, Z. (2020). Methylene Blue Efficiently Inhibits SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Vero E6 Cells through Interfering with the Fusion of Viral and Host Membranes. Journal of Medical Virology, 92(4), 420-427.

[15] Kunjadia, D. K., Mahajan, H. A., & Dev, P. G. (2021). Methylene Blue-Based Photodynamic Therapy in Nasal Cavity of COVID-19 Patients. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 217, 113199.

[16] Tsai, M. C., Chen, Y. K., Cai, Y. L., & Su, Y. T. (2017). Methylene Blue Ameliorates Skin Fibrosis and Is Linked to Nrf2/HO-1 Activation in a Mouse Model of Diabetic Wound Healing. Journal of Dermatological Science, 84(2), 128-136.

[17] Hollenberg, M. L., & Rajan, N. G. (Eds.). (2014). Methylene Blue, Clinical Pharmacology. In Pharmacology: Principles, Experimental Analysis, and Clinical Applications (pp. 1887-1893). Informa Healthcare.

[18] Lyon, M. G., O'Leary, A., & Willcox, D. (2018). The Effect of Methylene Blue in Adjunctive Treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, 33(2), 94-100.

[19] Park-Kyungsu, H., Kim, B. W., Yoon, H. J., & Cha, B. O. (2017). Pharmacokinetics and Safety Profile of Low-Dose Methylene Blue in Healthy Korean Men. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 60(3), 272-279.

  1. In health-and-wellness discussions, the potential of methylene blue (MB) in therapies-and-treatments for various medical-conditions, such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza, herpesviruses, and herpes zoster, is being explored due to its antiviral properties.
  2. Scientific research indicates that methylene blue (MB) could play a significant role in health-and-wellness, particularly in the field of healthcare, as it displays impressive antiviral properties against a range of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, through mechanisms like oxidative stress and photodynamic therapy.

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