Abstract

Monstaining is a special kind of staining procedure that highlights single cells.  Most stains used in histopathology are synthetic, toxic and costly for use hence this study was carried out at the histopathology laboratory of Imo state university to research more on the probability of replacing routine toxic and costly stains for natural, non toxic, less costly and effective stains that can highlight observably single cellular structures when viewed microscopically. Twelve sections were used for this study (6 liver and 6 kidney sections), obtained from the federal medical center Owerri of which was divided into four groups of liver and kidney sections respectively. This division was according to stains to be used on both sections either with haematoxylin and eosin or prepared adjusted PH extracts of zobo and turmeric viz: The group 1 (3 liver sections) were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, group 2 (3liver sections) stained with zobo and turmeric plant extracts, group 3 (3kidney sections) stained with haematoxylin and eosin stains and group 4 (3kidney sections) stained with zobo and turmeric plant extracts. After analysis it was concluded that zobo and turmeric were not very good stains in highlighting single cell structures when compared to routinely used haematoxylin and eosin stains.