Regressive Hibiscus sabdariffa Extract Nuclear Stain Using Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded Skin, Lymph node and Appendix

Abstract

A simple boiling water extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa was compounded with 10% ferric chloride solution, sodium chloride and glacial acetic acid and stored at 4 o C. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded blocks of skin, lymph node and appendix were randomly retrieved from the tissue block archive of the Pathology Department, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, labeled and sectioned at three microns. Sections were stained with the Hibiscus-iron solution in line with routine protocol for haematoxylin and eosin. Parallel control for each organ was done using Erhlich’s haematoxylin. Microscopic slide review by histopathology experts revealed comparable staining with standard haematoxylin and eosin thus establishing the suitability of Hibiscus extract solution as a regressive stain in histopathology laboratory especially in the demonstration of skin, lymph node and appendix.