Cresyl violet
Cresyl violet powder
Names
IUPAC name
(9-dimethylamino-10-methyl-benzo[a]phenoxazin-5-ylidene)ammonium chloride
Other names
9-(Dimethylamino)-5-imino-10-methyl-5H-benzo[a]phenoxazine hydrochloride
Cresole violet
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
3910949
ChEBI
ChemSpider
EC Number
  • 242-356-1
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C19H17N3O.ClH/c1-11-8-15-17(10-16(11)22(2)3)23-18-9-14(20)12-6-4-5-7-13(12)19(18)21-15;/h4-10,20H,1-3H3;1H checkY
    Key: ZHAFUINZIZIXFC-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C19H17N3O.ClH/c1-11-8-15-17(10-16(11)22(2)3)23-18-9-14(20)12-6-4-5-7-13(12)19(18)21-15;/h4-10,20H,1-3H3;1H
    Key: ZHAFUINZIZIXFC-UHFFFAOYAN
  • [Cl-].N=1c4c(OC=3C=1c2ccccc2\C(=[NH2+])\C=3)cc(c(c4)C)N(C)C
Properties
C19H18ClN3O
Molar mass 339.8187
Hazards
Flash point 245.5 °C (473.9 °F; 518.6 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Cresyl violet is an organic compound with the chemical formula C19H18ClN3O. It is a basic dye and is used as a common stain in histology.

Cresyl violet stain

Cresyl violet stained partial brain section of a Macaque.

It is used in biology and medicine as a histological stain. Cresyl violet is an effective and reliable stain used for light microscopy sections. Initially, tissue sections are "defatted" by passing through graded dilutions of ethanol. Then, rehydrated by passing back through decreasing concentrations of ethanol. Lastly, back into water. The ethanol solutions act to differentiate the stain, causing myelin and other components to lose color whereas perikarya retain the color. It is also used to find Helicobacter pylori.[1]

Intestinal mucins also take up the stain although not as strongly as Campylobacter-like organisms.[2]

Cresyl violet is used to stain Heinz bodies in red blood corpuscles or for staining of the neurons in the brain and spinal cord. It is used to demonstrate the Nissl substance in the neurons and cell nuclei. In this role it is also often used as a counterstain to Luxol fast blue, which stains the myelin.

References

  1. ^ Goggin N, Rowland M, Imrie C, Walsh D, Clyne M, Drumm B (1998). "Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on the natural history of duodenal ulcer disease". Arch. Dis. Child. 79 (6): 502–5. doi:10.1136/adc.79.6.502. PMC 1717771. PMID 10210995.
  2. ^ Burnett RA, Brown IL, Findlay J (1987). "Cresyl fast violet staining method for Campylobacter like organisms". J. Clin. Pathol. 40 (3): 353. doi:10.1136/jcp.40.3.353-b. PMC 1140916. PMID 2435763. Free Full Text.

External links

Categories