Hematoxylin Dye >98% by HPLC

Hematoxylin, a natural polyphenolic compound, is oxidized to its active form, hematein. This hematein functions as a chelator that, when complexed with a metal mordant (typically Al³⁺ or Fe³⁺), forms a cationic dye complex. This complex serves as the definitive acidic nuclear stain by electrostatically binding to negatively charged targets, primarily the phosphate groups of DNA and acidic nuclear proteins like histones. This mechanism confers high selectivity for the nucleus over the cytoplasm and ensures excellent retention in fixed and permeabilized tissues. As the gold standard in histopathology, it provides unparalleled, permanent nuclear counterstaining. When paired with eosin (H&E), it yields exceptionally high contrast—clearly demarcating the blue/purple nucleus from the pink/red cytoplasm—making it indispensable for providing morphological context in techniques like IHC. Beyond this core utility, hematoxylin serves specialized roles, including the effective staining of sperm cells for forensic analysis and the inhibition of amyloid β-protein fibrillation. Furthermore, an iron-hematein chelate exhibits NIR emission, enabling its use as a natural biosensor for detecting oxidative stress.