hematoksyliinieosinvärjäyksellä

Hematoxylin is a natural dye commonly used in histology and microscopy. It is derived from the heartwood of certain trees, primarily the logwood tree (Haematoxylum campechianum). The active coloring compound in hematoxylin is hematoxylin, which acts as a chromogen and requires oxidation to become a functional stain. Hematoxylin is typically used in conjunction with a mordant, most often aluminum salts, which helps to bind the dye to cellular structures. This mordant-dye complex is then able to stain the nuclei of cells.

In the laboratory, hematoxylin is a key component of the hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain, which is the most widely used histological stain in medical diagnosis. Hematoxylin stains the nucleus a deep blue or purple color, while eosin stains the cytoplasm and extracellular matrix pink or red. This differential staining allows pathologists to visualize cellular morphology and identify abnormalities. The precise staining mechanism involves the hematoxylin-mordant complex binding to acidic components of the cell, primarily nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) found in the nucleus. The specificity for nuclear staining is a hallmark of this dye. The preparation and age of the hematoxylin solution can significantly affect its staining quality.