Staining of Platyhelminthes by herbal dyes: An eco-friendly technique for the taxonomist

Abstract

Aim:An environment compatible technique to stain Platyhelminthes, Fasciola gigantica, Gastrothylax crumenifer, Taenia solium, and Moniezia expansa using aqueous and alcoholic extract of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), China rose (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), and red rose (Rosa hybrida) were described to minimized the deleterious effects of the synthetic dyes.Materials and Methods:Aqueous/ethanolic extracts of roses were extracted from the flowers while red beet was extracted from the roots.Results:Stained helminthes acquired a comparable level of pigmentation with the distinction of their internal structure in these natural dyes. The flukes (liver and rumen) internal structure, oral and ventral/posterior sucker, cirrus sac, gravid uterus, testes, ovary, and vitallaria were appeared pink color in aqueous and alcoholic extract of either China or red rose and yellow to brown color in sugar beet stain. The interior of the proglottid of T. solium and M. expansa took yellow to brown color with good contrast in sugar beet stain and of pink to pink-red in China and red rose stain.Conclusion:The extract of roses (red rose followed by China rose) followed by red beet possess the potential to replace the conventional stains in the taxonomic study of Platyhelminthes parasites.

Spectrophotometry, Physiochemical Properties, and Histological Staining Potential of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Beetroot on Various Tissues of an Albino Rat

“…The aqueous and ethanol extracts of beetroot appeared dark red to red in color and maintained staining ability when stored in a refrigerator at 4 ° C. This is similar to other reports [10,13]. Both extracts showed an acidic pH of 5.5 when examined with a pH meter, which is comparable to slightly acidic in [10], pH of 5.2 in [8], and pH 5.4 in [13].…”

“…The betalain pigments responsible for this red color have been used in staining of parasites and ova of nematodes [2,3,10]. In this study, the physicochemical and spectrophotometric properties of aqueous and ethanol extracts of red beetroot were determined and adopted in histological staining of various tissues of an albino rat.…”

“…It has been used in inks and in staining woods [9] as well as in staining wool and thread [6]. Also, it has been used in staining of helminth parasites [3,10] and ova of intestinal nematodes [2]. Recently, Singnarpi et al [1] have applied beetroot in cytology for staining of buccal smears and Das et al [11] have applied beetroot dye as a fluorescent dye in tissue staining.…”

Natural Alternatives for Chemicals Used in Histopathology Lab- A Literature Review

“…It has colourful flowers ranging from white, yellows and reds. Roses are ornamental plants grown for their flowers in the garden throughout the world [33,34].…”

“…They have concluded that the extract of roses i.e., red rose followed by China rose, followed by red beet possess the ability to replace the conventional stains in the taxonomic study of Platyhelminthes parasites [33]. Chew Weng Cheng et al, did alternative staining using distilled water and ethanol extracts of Diluted honey has to be mixed with anti-fungals.…”