Mechanism: How does it work as a powerful & regenerative antioxidant ?

Leucomethylene blue (LMB) is a phenothiazine derivative and can be oxidized to Methylene blue (MB). It’s one of the very few regenerative anti-oxidant having cyclic redox activity. Because of its hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, it has a high level of permeability through biological membranes. Leucomethylene blue can cycle readily between oxidized and reduced forms in mitochondria by directly transferring its electrons to cytochrome c, and getting re-oxidized to MB. Such characteristics allow it to work as a catalytic redox cycler in mitochondria. As a result, Leuco MB possesses the capacity to protect cells against the harmful effects of oxidative stress brought on by pathogenic circumstances, thus working as a regenerative antioxidant.

Application/ Uses

Methemoglobinemia

Methemoglobinemia is a disorder that occurs when there is a higher-than-normal amount of methemoglobin (a form of haemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen) detected in the blood, which lowers the amount of oxygen that is carried by the blood and has the potential to induce hypoxemia in the tissues.

Methemoglobinemia can be treated with Leucomethylene Blue. It works by oxidizing methemoglobin and converting it back into haemoglobin. For more details, you may refer here.

Alzheimer’s

Leucomethylene blue helps in the treatment of Alzheimer’s by inhibiting ‘Tau’ Protein aggregation and preventing abnormal accumulation of proteins within and around brain cells. For more details, you may refer here.

Malaria

Leucomethylene Blue’s ability to fight malaria has been linked to its antioxidant properties, which selectively target glutathione reductase, a crucial enzyme in the life cycle of Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that is responsible for the disease. For more details, you may refer here.

Potential for Anti-ageing activity

According to the “free radicals theory of ageing,” the deterioration of cells and tissues with age is caused by the actions of free radicals. During the process of ageing, human cells produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) predominantly in their mitochondria. This results in a decrease in the mass of mitochondria as well as their capacity and efficiency for respiration. Dysfunctional mitochondria lead to decreased ATP production and increased ROS production, which would further damage mitochondria. This vicious loop causes serious harm to the cells of the body and speeds up the ageing process. Due to the fact that it is a powerful antioxidant, MB is able to effectively combat ROS and inhibits the accelerated ageing that is caused by ROS.

Advantages of Leucomethylene blue over Methylene blue