Hind Tahir Qadir
Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Science, Diyala University, Iraq
ABSTRACT
Background: Natural colorants are widely used in various industries, including textiles, cosmetics, and medicine. In histopathology, synthetic dyes such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) are commonly used for tissue staining, but concerns regarding their availability, cost, and potential toxicity have led to increased interest in natural alternatives. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (roselle) aqueous extract as a natural histological stain and its potential as a substitute for eosin in routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Methods: A concentrated extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa flowers was prepared at a 50% (w/v) ratio. The extract was used to stain rabbit tissue sections, replacing eosin in conventional H&E staining protocols. Microscopic evaluation was performed to assess the staining characteristics and histological differentiation of various tissue components. Results: The Hibiscus sabdariffa extract effectively stained hepatocytes, central veins, hepatic sinusoids, endothelial cells, and nuclear/cytoplasmic structures, producing a reddish to orange coloration. The staining was comparable to conventional eosin in highlighting tissue morphology and cellular components. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Hibiscus sabdariffa L. flower extract is a viable, natural alternative to synthetic eosin for histological staining. As a readily available and eco-friendly botanical dye, it offers a potential substitute for conventional staining agents in histopathology, reducing reliance on synthetic chemicals while maintaining staining quality. Further studies are recommended to standardize staining protocols and evaluate long-term stability
Keywords: Kujarat, Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Histologic Section, Testis, Liver.
