Hematoxylin Extract (Haematein) Product Description CAS#475-25-2 / 8005-33-2

Haematein, also known as oxidized hematoxylin, is an oxidation product of hematoxylin, with the chemical name 3,4,6a,10-tetrahydroxy-6a,7-dihydro-6H-indeno[2,1-c]chromene-9-one. Its molecular formula is C₁₆H₁₂O₆, and its molecular weight is 300.27. At room temperature, it is a dark brown to orange-brown crystalline powder. Its melting point is 180°C, boiling point is approximately 361.5°C (estimated), and density is approximately 1.2766 g/cm³ (estimated). In terms of solubility, hematoxylin is slightly soluble in water and methanol, with a water solubility of 0.6 g/L at 20°C. It is soluble in DMSO, slightly soluble in methanol, and soluble in ethanol (reference concentration 1 mg/mL). Its color index is C.I. 75290. Hematoxylin is the main coloring component in the heartwood extract of the ink tree (Haematoxylum campechianum, also known as foreign ink tree). The ink tree is native to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico and was one of the most prized dye sources in European fashion during the 18th century, holding an important position in the dye trade. The ink tree extract contains approximately 8% hematoxylin, 27% hematoxylin, 36% glycosides and molasses, 5% natural salts, and 15% water. Hematoxylin is formed through oxidation and can form strongly colored complexes with various metal ions (especially Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺). Hematoxylin also exhibits inhibitory activity against casein kinase II (CK2), with an IC₅₀ of 0.74 μM. These unique staining properties and bioactivities make it valuable for applications in histology, dye industry, pharmaceutical research, and cosmetics.

Hematoxylin Extract (Ink Tree Extract) Product Applications CAS#475-25-2 / 8005-33-2

Ink tree extract and its main component, hematoxylin, are important natural dyes and biological stains, widely used in histology, dye industry, pharmaceutical research, cosmetics, and food.

In histology and pathology, hematoxylin is one of the most important nuclear staining agents. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining is the most classic and widely used histological staining method for microscopic observation and differentiation of cell structures. Hematoxylin can bind to nucleic acids and proteins, making the cell nucleus appear blue-black, the cytoplasm yellow, collagen fibers bright red, and mast cell granules reddish-brown. Aluminum-hematoxylin complex (also known as hematoxylin sulfate) is a common staining agent for the nuclei of human and other animal tissues. Hematoxylin can also be used in the Baker acid hematoxylin method for detecting phospholipids, staining nerve myelin sheaths, and staining various organelles. In recent years, hematoxylin-based staining methods have also been applied to three-dimensional virtual histology in X-ray micro-CT and nano-CT.