Staining Potentials of Indigenous Hibiscus Sabdariffa Calyx and Lawsonia inermis Leaves on Liver and Kidney Tissues

Abstract

In view of the hazards associated with the use of synthetic stains and the escalating cost of foreign dyes, it has become essential to seek for natural, economic, easy to use, biodegradable, safe (to both human and environmental health) and more eco-friendly
alternatives or supplements the routine Haematoxylin and eosin stains. Thus, the present study is aimed at evaluating the staining potentials of indigenous Hibiscus sabdariffa calyx and Lawsonia inermis leaves on liver and kidney tissue slides. Ethanolic, aqueous, mordant and non-mordant aqueous cold-macerated and ethanolic sohext extracts of the plant products were substituted for haematoxylin (as primary stains) in the modified haematoxylin and eosin methods. Results revealed that the two plant products imparted various intensities of pink or pale pink colouration on the cytoplasm of the constituent cells without any form of nuclear staining at a concentration of 100mg/ml. It is recommended that more studies be carried out to provide methods for increasing the pH of the extracts to the alkaline (basic) side of neutrality for effective nuclear staining.