THE USE OF WATERY EXTRACT OF KUJARAT FLOWERS HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA AS A NATURAL HISTOLOGICAL STAIN

Abstract

Background: Hibiscus sabdariffa is cultivated in many countries in the world, Iraq is one of these countries. Watery extract of kujarat flowers Hibiscus sabdariffa is red in color and acidic in taste. Previous investigations used watery extract of kujarat in medical studies and food industry. Others used its watery extract to stain blood film, fungi and plants. No previous studies use the watery extract of kujarat instead of eosin and together with hematoxylin stain in the routine H and E stain.Objective: to see the possibility of using watery extract of kujarat as a natural histological stain and instead of eosin. This study proposed because of the similarity in some characters between kujarat and eosin stain.Methods: watery extract of kujarat flowers was prepared in 20% concentration weight/volume. It was used to stain tissues from albino mice. It was used instead of eosin stain in the ordinary hematoxylin-eosin stain.Results: Stained tissues reveal acceptance to kujarat stain. Erythrocytes, cytoplasm of epithelial cells of kidney tubules and smooth muscle fibers appear brownish in color. Nuclei of stained cells appear dark violet in color.Conclusion: watery extract of kujarat flowers need chemical purification to separate its acidic from basic components. This study proposes the use of purified acidic part with the pigment instead of eosin. This part will have closer characterization (physical and chemical) to the eosin stain.Keywords: Hibiscus sabdariffa, Roselle, kujarat flowers, natural histological stains.