Research

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Methylene blue does not significantly extend median lifespan in male or female mice, but significantly increases maximum lifespan (90th percentile) in females.

Methylene blue did not extend the average lifespan of mice, but it did slightly increase the maximum lifespan of female mice. This suggests a very limited potential for extending the very end of life, but not overall longevity.

ModerateQualifiesLOW confidence
MB did not alter median lifespan of males or females, but did produce a small, statistically significant (6%, P = 0.004) increase in female maximum lifespan.
David E. Harrison et al. · Aging Cell · 2013

Why this rating

Statistically significant but small effect (6%) on maximum lifespan only; no median lifespan benefit.

Source

Acarbose, 17‐α‐estradiol, and nordihydroguaiaretic acid extend mouse lifespan preferentially in males

David E. Harrison et al. · Aging Cell · 2013

DOI 10.1111/acel.12170

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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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