Modification of Periodic Acid Schiff and Haematoxylin Van Geison Solutions with Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Wood Extract of Erythroxylum

Background: In histopathology, stains are substances or biological dyes, which colour tissues in order to aid optical differentiation of tissue component. Erythroxylum (erythroxylon) also known as redheart wood, is a genus of tropical flowering plants in the family Erythroxylacae, It has been observed that it has bright-red color when freshly cut that darkens to deep red over time. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the staining reaction and novel modification of periodic acid schiff and Haematoxylin Van Gieson solutions with ethanoic and ethylacetate wood extract of erythroxylum plant on kidney, liver, lung and intestinal tissue section of Rattus norvegicus as an alternative to Schiff reagent, compared with haematoxylin and eosin staining, Weigert’s iron haematoxylin Van gieson and Periodic acid Schiff staining method as control. Materials and Methods: Three serial sections were obtained from a block of a histological processed lung tissue of Rattus norvegicus and labelled A to C. Section A served as controls. Section As’ were stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin staining, Weigert’s Haematoxylin and Van Gieson Staining and Periodic acid Schiff reagent methods as controls. Test section Bs’were stained using Harris haematoxylin, Weigert’s Iron Haematoxylin, Periodic Acid and counter stained with Ethanol extract of erythroxylum solutions respectively. Tests Section Cs’ were all treated with the primary stained or oxidized with the required periodic acid and counter stained with ethylacetate extract of erthroxylum. Results: Liver sections treated with Periodic acid and counter stained with ethanol erythroxylum extract and ethylacetate erythroxylum solutions all revealed a comparable hepatic details as seen in periodic acid schiff solution. Similarly kidney sections of Rattus norvegicus stained with Weigert haematoxylin and counter stained with ethanol erythroxylum extract and ethylacetate erythroxylum extract solution also shown a comparable and better optical differentiation of the tubular structures and podocytes. Erythroxylum is a promising histological stain which is natural and readily available. Conclusion: The dye may serve in the demonstration of tissue constituents and serve as a useful cytoplasmic stain to replace other dyes for histological diagnosis of diseases.