Use of Curcuma longa L. extract to stain various tissue samples for histological studies

Abstract

Background:Curcuma longa L. is a perennial herb and a member of the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, which is used extensively in foods as well as in Ayurvedic and Chinese systems of medicine. Current researches have focused on its antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and antimicrobial properties. Until now, very few studies suggested its role as a histological stain.Aim:To ascertain its efficacy to be used as a counterstain after hematoxylin, to compare it's staining ability with that of routinely used eosin dye and also to ascertain its role in various collagen diseases.Materials and Methods:Turmeric rhizomes were cut into small pieces and were dried. These dried turmeric rhizomes were milled to form fine powder, which was then processed to form dye for staining tissue structures.Results:It revealed that turmeric can be used as a counterstain after hematoxylin, its staining ability was also good and comparable to that of eosin dye with a special affinity for collagen and muscle fibers.Conclusion:Turmeric dye can be used as a histological stain, which stains similar to eosin dye and its specific affinity for collagen and muscle fibers authenticates its role in the treatment of collagen and muscle disorders.

Curcuma longa extract – Haldi: A safe, eco-friendly natural cytoplasmic stain

“…Results were similar to previous study by Kumar et al ., where turmeric had shown good and comparable staining to eosin for collagen and skeletal muscle fibers. [ 11 ] In our study, also, turmeric has shown comparable staining to eosin in case of muscle fibers. Even striations are well appreciated.…”

Effects of curcumin on physical fatigue and oxidative damage in forced swimming mice

“…Curcuma longa L. is a perennial herb of the Zingiberaceae family. Its rhizomes are well-developed, elliptical or cylindrical, with a diameter of up to 100 cm [1]. Curcuma longa L. is widely distributed in some countries in East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.…”

Natural stains Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) and Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) – A substitute to eosin

“…Various studies have demonstrated the use of natural dyes for use in plant as well as animal histological studies and have found satisfactory results in comparison to the synthetic stains used. [245] Despite various shortcomings with the use of natural stains, they can still be sought as an analogous to the conventional stains used. [6] However, continuum of studies using natural dyes in human tissues is very narrow and very minimal data in this regard is available in the literature.…”