Introduction
BioGnost’s Hematoxylin M is one of the formulations of hematoxylin used in histopathology and immunohistochemistry for a more precise nuclear cell staining. It is applied progressively in a routine hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and counterstaining in immunohistochemistry. Unlike other hematoxylin formulations, modified hematoxylin acc. to Mayer does not contain alcohol, which makes it suitable for using in reactions with chromogenic aminoethylcarbazole (AEC), which is alcohol soluble.
Hematoxylin is extracted from logwood (Haematoxylin campechianum L.). Hematoxylin oxidizes to hematein and binds with metal ions (mordants), hematein turns into irreplaceable nuclear color. Positively charged hematein-mordant complex then binds with negatively charged phosphate ions of the DNA’s nucleus, creating characteristic blue coloration. BioGnost’s modified hematoxylin acc. to Mayer does not contain toxic antioxidants. Environment-friendly sodium iodate is used instead. Along with aluminum ions, it contains a low level of hematoxylin that selectively stains chromatin without staining the cytoplasm, which provides outstanding results in staining the cellular membrane, nucleoplasm and nucleolus.