Rational Use of Methylene Blue in COVID-19 Treatment

Authors

Abstract

Methylene blue entered the medical field when Robert Koch and Paul Ehrlich introduced the staining of tuberculosis microorganisms using methylene blue. It is used as an anesthetic agent for its sensory nerve ending blocking property, and its antimicrobial activity was useful as an antimalarial therapy in the 1890s. In the modern medical field, methylene blue was majorly used for investigational purposes as contrast in many radiological diagnostic techniques. Further applications of methylene blue in various clinical indications like Alzheimer's disease, depression, and psychosis are under investigation. Human Coronavirus invasion through the ACE 2 receptor causes the immune system's activation and induces apoptosis in human cells like monocytes, macrophages, T lymphocytes, and dendritic cells, which results in the activation of the innate and acquired immune system. This process results in the massive elimination of the infected cells. Methylene blue can play a significant role in treating SARS-CoV-2 infection by inhibiting viral replication and preventing sepsis due to covid illness. Theoretically, anti-inflammatory activity, oxidative stress, and tissue damage caused by covid infection can be minimized, and thereby it can also be beneficial for the patients suffering from cytokine storm. From this review article, we conclude that methylene blue should be evaluated for its role in covid treatment at a clinical level.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Antiviral activity, Cytokine storm, Nitric oxide, Antidote activity.

Keywords:

SARS-CoV-2, Antiviral activity, Cytokine storm, Nitric oxide, Antidote activity

DOI

https://doi.org/10.22270/jddt.v12i3.5438

Author Biographies

B V Saikrupa, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, PES University, Bangalore [formerly PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore].

Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, PES University, Bangalore  [formerly PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore].

Mani Muthukumar, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, PES University, Bangalore [formerly PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore].

Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical sciences, PES University, Bangalore  [formerly PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore].

S Kavya, Excel care hospital, banashankri stage 2, Bangalore.

Excel care hospital, banashankri stage 2, Bangalore. 

P Kumar Suma, Excel care hospital, banashankri stage 2, Bangalore.

Excel care hospital, banashankri stage 2, Bangalore. 

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15-05-2022
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How to Cite

1.
Saikrupa BV, Muthukumar M, Kavya S, Suma PK. Rational Use of Methylene Blue in COVID-19 Treatment. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2022 May 15 [cited 2025 Jan. 21];12(3):181-6. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/5438

How to Cite

1.
Saikrupa BV, Muthukumar M, Kavya S, Suma PK. Rational Use of Methylene Blue in COVID-19 Treatment. J. Drug Delivery Ther. [Internet]. 2022 May 15 [cited 2025 Jan. 21];12(3):181-6. Available from: https://jddtonline.info/index.php/jddt/article/view/5438