Sorghum bicolor extract: a suitable counter stain in hibiscus extract nuclear staining of liver and kidney

Aim: To investigate the suitability of alcoholic extract of Sorghum bicolor stalk as a counter stain for Hibiscus extract stained nuclei. Method: Formalin fixed kidney and liver biopsies were processed by the paraffin wax technique, sectioned, stained with Hibiscus extract solution and counterstained with 10% alcoholic extract of Sorghum bicolor stalk. Parallel sections were stained with H&E as control.

Results: Results show distinct dark - violet nuclear staining with light-brown staining of collagen and other components.

Conclusion: Sorghum bicolor stalk alcoholic extract could be a useful substitute to eosin in histology for the demonstration of collagen and other cytoplasmic components especially when H. sabdariffa is used as the nuclear stain.