ABSTRACT

Two plant extracts: aqs. Lawsoniainermis and aqs.Cnestisferruginea were investigated as substitute dyes against hematoxylin and eosin staining technique. Two methods were employed which are aqs. Lawsoniainermis& eosin staining technique and hematoxylin&aqs.Cnestisferruginea staining technique, they were used firstly to determine their staining potentials. Two groups of liver and kidney tissue sections were used in this investigation , hence section showed distinctive features after being stained with direct comparison with being stained with the widely known H&E staining technique. This shows that aqs. Lawsoniainermis can be used as a suitable substitute for hematoxylin stain while aqs. Cnestisferruginea can also be used as a replacement for the eosin stain.

INTRODUCTION

The human body is made up of various tissues with different functions. Structure is closely related to function and much can be deduced about the function of cells and tissues by careful examination of their component part (Young et al ., 2014). In case of abnormality, the tissues can be studied and prompt diagnosis carried out. Stains help differentiate the various structures present in both normal and abnormal tissues thus, accurate diagnosis can be achievable. Abnormal tissues are known as pathological tissues and can be significantly differentiated from the normal tissues by the use of stains Staining is a process by which we give color to a section.Generally the stains are classified as:Acid stains, Basic stainsandNeutral stains (Talukder, 2008).Staining techniques originated from the second half of the last century. Stains have been used to enhance accurate descriptions of the microscopic structure of tissues, which is necessary for histopathologic diagnosis.