PCL Methylene Blue 5mg/mL

$49.99

SKU: PCL-Methylene Blue 5mg/ml 20 ml Categories: ,

What is Methylene Blue?

Methylene blue (MB), also known as methylthioninium chloride, is a synthetic heterocyclic aromatic compound with the molecular formula C₁₆H₁₈ClN₃S and a molecular weight of 319.85 g/mol (NIST Chemistry WebBook). It belongs to the phenothiazinium class of dyes and exhibits a characteristic blue color in its oxidized form (Nedu et al. 2020).

MB is redox-active, undergoing reversible conversion between its oxidized (blue) and reduced (colorless leucomethylene blue) states. This property underlies its use as a redox probe in chemical and biological research, including electron transport chain assays and mitochondrial function studies (Nedu et al. 2020). As an electron shuttle, MB can substitute for natural cofactors in redox reactions due to its favorable redox potential (Nedu et al. 2020).

Due to its cationic structure, MB binds electrostatically to negatively charged nucleic acids, making it widely used as a nucleic acid stain in many biochemical research procedures (Nedu et al. 2020). Its optical properties and low toxicity also make it suitable for confocal fluorescence microscopy and other imaging techniques (Nedu et al. 2020).

Photodynamically, MB serves as a dual-action photosensitizer. Upon excitation with visible light, it can undergo both Type I (radical-mediated) and Type II (singlet oxygen-mediated) photochemical reactions. These mechanisms form the basis of its use in photodynamic therapy research targeting tumor cells (Tardivo et al. 2005). The dye’s absorption in the therapeutic window (600–950 nm) makes it effective for light-based applications using red or polychromatic sources (Tardivo et al. 2005).

MB is also known for its good tissue penetration, attributed to its low molecular weight and amphiphilic character. This facilitates cellular uptake and accumulation in organelles like mitochondria, where its positive charge drives electrostatic localization in the mitochondrial matrix (Nedu et al. 2020). These properties support its use in perfusion mapping, tissue staining, and potential light-triggered therapeutic applications (Nedu et al. 2020; Tardivo et al. 2005).

References

NIST Chemistry WebBook. Methylene Blue (CAS 61-73-4).
https://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/inchi?ID=C61734

Nedu, M.-E., et al. (2020). Comparative Study Regarding the Properties of Methylene Blue and Proflavine and Their Optimal Concentrations for In Vitro and In Vivo Applications. Diagnostics, 10(4), 223. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10040223

Tardivo, J. P., et al. (2005). Methylene blue in photodynamic therapy: From basic mechanisms to clinical applications. Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, 2(3), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-1000(05)00097-9

More Information

Certificate of Analysis