Abstract: Hematoxylin and eosin (H and E) staining of tissue sections is one of, if not the most widely used stain in routine histological or histopathology purposes. During Hand E staining procedure, dewaxing, the removal of paraffin in the tissues which is usually the first step to the staining procedure and clearing, the removal of dehadrant after staining before mounting plays a very important role during the microscopy. Xylene has often been used as dewaxing and clearing agents despite its associated hazards. Other xylene substitutes have been reported as clearing agents during tissue processing, with little or no emphasis on their efficacy during staining. The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of eucalyptus (Citrodora oil), as dewaxing and clearing agents in hematoxylin and eosin staining procedure with a view of using it as possible substitute to xylene in H and E staining procedures. The study was carried out in the department of Human Anatomy ABU Zaria. The Citrodora oil was extracted in NARICT and analyzed in department of Pharmaceutical Sciences ABU Zaria. The study was carried out in the department of Human Anatomy ABU Zaria. Ten paraffin blocks of liver and kidney tissues each were retrieved from the department archives. Two sections from each of the blocks were made at 4 microns, and stained with Hand E. One from each of the two sections were all dewaxed and cleared in xylene while the other remaining sections were dewaxed and cleared in Citrodora oil respectively. The staining quality was evaluated by direct microscopic observation and graded. Results showed a similarity in the staining quality and no significant difference in the staining quality between tissues of the sections dewaxed and cleared in Citrodora oil and xylene. In cconclusion, Citrodora oil can be an effective dewaxing and clearing agents during Hand E staining procedure. It can be an alternative to xylene during H and E staining procedures.

Key words: Citrodora oil, xylene, dewaxing, clearing, staining

| DOI: 10.17148/IARJSET.2021.8423