Haematoxylin

Haematoxylin is a natural organic compound that is used in histology for staining. It is a basic dye that stains nuclei blue due to its affinity to nucleic acids in the cell nucleus. Haematoxylin is often used in combination with eosin, a process known as H&E staining, which is one of the most commonly used stains in histology.

History

Haematoxylin was first used as a histological stain in the mid-19th century. It was originally derived from the heartwood of the logwood tree (Haematoxylum campechianum), a species native to Central America and the West Indies.

Preparation and Use

Haematoxylin is typically used in its oxidized form, known as haematein. This is achieved by treating haematoxylin with a mordant, an agent that helps fix the stain in the tissue. The most commonly used mordant is aluminium, but others such as iron and tungsten can also be used, each giving a different colour to the stain.

Once the haematoxylin has been oxidized to haematein and combined with a mordant, it is ready to be used as a stain. The tissue to be stained is immersed in the haematoxylin solution, allowing the stain to penetrate the cells. The tissue is then washed and treated with a bluing agent to develop the colour.

Applications

Haematoxylin is primarily used in histology to stain cell nuclei. This makes it a crucial tool in the study of cell structure and function, and in the diagnosis of various diseases. It is also used in the field of cytology, the study of cells, as well as in histopathology, the study of disease in tissues.

See Also

• Histology
• H&E staining
• Cytology
• Histopathology

References

Haematoxylin Resources
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