Description
Synonym: Methylene Blue hydrate
Empirical Formula (Hill Notation):C16H18ClN3S · xH2O
Methylene blue is primarily used as a dye, but its dye properties also allow it to be useful in several other applications, such as in medicine, and in chemistry as a chemical indicator for various types of chemical reactions or properties.
General description
Methylene blue is a compound that occurs as crystals or crystalline powder, having a bronze-like luster. It is soluble in water, chloroform and partially soluble in alcohol. It is a photoactive dye, which is a member of phenothiazine family.
Application
Methylene blue has been used:
- to stain vaginal cells
- for the preparation of protein aqueous ink
- to evaluate cell survival by staining
Biochem/physiol Actions
Methylene blue is used as a bacteriologic stain or dye and indicator. It mediates the inactivation of enveloped viruses in plasma, when exposed to visible light. It is an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase. It also plays a key role in medicine as an antimalarial agent, reducing agent in methemoglobinemia and inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells.
Suitability
Certified for use in Mallory′s phloxine-methylene blue stain; Levine & Black stain for bacteria in milk; Wright stain for blood smears.
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