By acting as an alternative electron acceptor/donor Methylene blue restores mitochondrial function, improves neuronal energy production and inhibits the formation of superoxide.
Methylene blue inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) isozymes. Methylene blue is an odorless, water soluble, dark blue-green crystalline powder, which turns blue whenever mixed in solution. Methylene blue is a vasopressor that impacts the NO synthetic pathway by inhibiting inducible NOS and inhibiting the subsequent activation of sGC. In addition, by binding to the iron heme moiety of sGC and causing enzyme inhibition, Methylene blue blocks accumulation of cyclic GMP (cGMP), competing directly with NO in its ability to activate soluble guanylyl cyclase.