Methylene Blue

• Catalog Number: ACM61734
• Product Name: Methylene Blue
• CAS: 61-73-4
• Category: Inhibitors
• Description: Methylene blue (Basic Blue 9) is a guanylyl cyclase (sGC), monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and NO synthase (NOS) inhibitor. Methylene blue is a vasopressor and is often used as a dye in several medical procedures. Methylene blue through the nitric oxide syntase/guanylate cyclase signalling pathway to reduce prepulse inhibition. Methylene blue is a REDOX cycling compound and able to cross the blood-brain barrier. Methylene blue is a Tau aggregation inhibitor. Methylene blue reduces cerebral edema, attenuated microglial activation and reduced neuroinflammation.
• Synonyms: Phenothiazin-5-ium, 3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-, chloride;SWISS BLUE;Evan’s Blue;Chromosmon;CI BASIC BLUE 9
• Molecular Weight: 319.85
• Molecular Formula: C16H18ClN3S
• Canonical SMILES: CN(C)C1=CC=C2C(SC(C(C=C/3)=N2)=CC3=[N+](C)/C)=C1.[Cl-]
• Melting Point: 190ºC (dec.)(lit.)
• Flash Point: 45ºC
• Density: 1
• Appearance: Green fine crystalline powder
• Storage: 4°C, sealed storage, away from moisture and light*In solvent : -80°C, 6 months; -20°C, 1 month (sealed storage, away from moisture and light)
• Hazard Codes: Xn
• Hazard Statements: Xn
• HS Code: 2934300000
• LogP: -0.49710
• PSA: 47.38
• RIDADR: UN 1993 3/PG 3
• Safety Description: 26-39-36
• Shipping: Can be shipped at room temperature, where not in use may vary.
• Storage Conditions: Store at RT
• Supplemental Hazard Statements: H226
• Symbol: GHS02
• WGK Germany: 3

Custom Q&A

What is the molecular formula of methylene blue?

The molecular formula of methylene blue is C16H18ClN3S.

What is the molecular weight of methylene blue?

The molecular weight of methylene blue is 319.9 g/mol.

What is the PubChem CID of methylene blue?

The PubChem CID of methylene blue is 6099.

What is the IUPAC name of methylene blue?

The IUPAC name of methylene blue is [7-(dimethylamino)phenothiazin-3-ylidene]-dimethylazanium; chloride.

What are the synonyms of methylene blue?

The synonyms of methylene blue include methylene blue 61-73-4, Basic blue 9, Methylthioninium chloride, and Solvent blue 8.

What are the component compounds of methylene blue?

The component compounds of methylene blue are Hydrochloric Acid (CID 313) and Methylene blue cation (CID 4139).

What are the dates of creation and modification of methylene blue?

The creation date of methylene blue is 2005-03-26, and the modification date is 2023-12-23.

What are the properties and uses of methylene blue?

Methylene blue is a commonly used dye that also exhibits antioxidant, antimalarial, antidepressant, and cardioprotective properties. It has various roles, including as an inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, an acid-base indicator, a fluorochrome, an EC 3.1.1.8 (cholinesterase) inhibitor, a histological dye, an EC 4.6.1.2 (guanylate cyclase) inhibitor, an antimicrobial agent, a neuroprotective agent, a physical tracer, and an antimalarial.

What is the role of methylene blue in the treatment of methemoglobinemia?

The intravenous form of methylene blue is approved by the FDA for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with acquired methemoglobinemia.

What is the potential use of methylene blue in Alzheimer's disease treatment?

Methylthioninium chloride (methylene blue) is an investigational drug being developed for the treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease, as it has shown in early clinical trials to be an inhibitor of Tau protein aggregation.

Case Study

The Applications of Methylene Blue and Its Photodegradation Pathways

Khan, Idrees, et al. Water, 2022, 14(2). 242.

Methylene blue (MB) is a well-known cationic primary thiazine dye and one of the most consumed materials in the dye industry. In addition, methylene blue is an attractive molecule with many potential applications in biomedical applications, such as an effective therapeutic agent for anemia, malaria, and Barrett's esophagus, as well as photodynamic therapy for cancer.
Photodegradation pathways of methylene blue
· Considering the toxicity of methylene blue, its removal from wastewater through photocatalytic degradation technology is an effective way. Effective photocatalyst systems that have been developed include ZnO-NPs catalyst, Fe2O3/graphene/CuO photocatalyst, etc.
· The photodegradation steps of MB can be divided into: (1) demethylation; (2) MB central aromatic ring cleavage, followed by lateral aromatic ring cleavage; (3) fragments generated in the first two steps are converted into intermediate substances; (4) intermediates are converted into final products such as CO2, H2O, ammonium ions and sulfate ions.

Preparation and Application of Methylene Blue Nanoparticles and Microparticles

Dong-Jin Lim. Polymers, 2021, 13(22), 3955.

Due to the hydrophilic nature of methylene blue (MB), the efficacy of MB as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) is limited to a certain extent. The development of efficient MB-embedded nanoparticles or microparticles can effectively improve the clinical efficacy of PDT and further be used to treat cancer and infectious diseases.
Preparation of MB nanoparticles and microparticles
· Methylene blue in polymeric nano- and microparticles: MB can be encapsulated in polymeric nano/microparticles, such as polyacrylamide nanoparticles, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels, and polymeric lipids wait.
· Methylene blue in inorganic nano- and microparticles: MB can be incorporated into a variety of inorganic nano- and microparticles, such as silica nanoparticles, organically modified silicate (ORMOSIL) nanoparticles, and gold nanoparticles.
· Methylene blue in inorganic polymer composites: More types of MB functional materials can be realized through inorganic polymer composites, such as MB trapped in silicone elastomers with nanogold.

Methylene Blue-Mediated Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy

Cecatto, Rebeca Boltes, et al. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 2020, 31, 101828.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapy mediated by visible light, photosensitizer (PS), and oxygen. Methylene blue (MB) is a photosensitizer (PS) belonging to the phenothiazine class, which consists of two benzene rings connected to a nitrogen atom and a sulfur atom. MB is less toxic when applied to humans, and due to its lipophilicity, it has greater cellular distribution and the ability to penetrate blood cells, therefore, it provides a possible alternative for the clinical application of aPDT.
Antimicrobial PDT (aPDT) with methylene blue as photosensitizer
· The aPDT with MB for the treatment of human clinical infections are available: onychomycosis, oral candidiasis, and diabetic foot infectious ulcer treatments.
· Regarding the MB and light parameters, the pre-irradiation times ranged from 1 min to 5 min; the concentrations ranged from 0.0003 to 0.06 molar; lasers, LED, and lamps were used, always encompassing the red wavelength, being resonant with MB; the irradiances ranged from 50 mW/cm2 to 750 mW/cm2; the radiant exposures ranged from 6 to 18 J/cm2, and the irradiation times ranged from 8 seconds to 10 minutes.