Exploring the Staining Potential of Zingiber Officinale Extracts (Ginger) as a Natural Alternative to Eosin in Haematoxylin & Eosin Staining: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Most synthetic dyes are carcinogenic, and chronic exposure to these dyes has an impact on the health of laboratory technicians and pathologists. Eosin, a widely used synthetic dye in routine histopathological staining, poses potential risks. Zingiber officinale contains phenols and several colouring compounds that have the ability to stain tissues. Aim: To explore and compare the staining efficacy of ginger extract as a natural dye with synthetic eosin dye. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Oral Pathology Department of Ahmedabad Dental College and Hospital from April 2023 to June 2023. Fresh rhizomes of Zingiber officinale were collected and airdried. A staining solution of Zingiber officinale was obtained by dissolving 25g of powder in 90% alcohol. This solution was used to stain 30 sections of oral biopsy specimens. The stained slides were evaluated by two independent observers using various parameters such as nuclear and cytoplasmic detail, overall histologic appearance, intensity, and contrast. Statistical significance was determined using the Chi-square test. Results: Z.officinale (Ginger) stain the cytoplasm of the cell and connective tissue elements with pale eosin colour, yellowish golden to the RBCs and deep brownish to the bony tissue. Statistical analysis comparable staining intensity, contrast, nuclear staining, cytoplasmic staining and overall histologic appearance between the two groups with p-values of 0.531, 0.917, 1.000, 0.924 and 0.7003, respectively. Conclusion: Z.officinale (Ginger) can be utilised as a natural alternative to eosin in routinely used Hematoxylin & Eosin staining.