hematoksiini

Hematoksiini is a natural dye extracted from the heartwood of various species of trees belonging to the genus Haematoxylum, most notably Haematoxylum campechianum, commonly known as logwood. This dye has a long history of use, dating back to ancient civilizations, and was particularly important in the textile industry before the advent of synthetic dyes. The primary coloring compound in hematoxylin is hematin.

The extraction process typically involves chipping the heartwood and boiling it in water. The resulting solution can then be used directly or further processed to produce more concentrated forms. Hematoxylin itself is not a dye; it acts as a chromogen, meaning it requires an oxidizing agent to become a functional stain. When oxidized, it forms hematein, which binds to cellular components.

Hematoxylin is most widely recognized for its application in histology and microscopy. In this context, it is used as a nuclear stain, selectively coloring the nuclei of cells a deep blue or purple. This is achieved through a process called mordanting, where a metal salt, typically aluminum, acts as a bridge between the hematoxylin and the negatively charged nucleic acids within the nucleus. The contrast provided by hematoxylin staining is essential for identifying and examining cellular structures in biological tissues. It is often used in combination with counterstains like eosin, which colors the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink, to create a complete histological stain known as Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining, a cornerstone of diagnostic pathology.