Oil as an Alternative Clearing Agent to Xylene in Histological Staining Process: A Systematic Review | ||||
| Egyptian Journal of Histology | ||||
| Article 1, Volume 48, Issue 2, June 2025, Page 397-411 PDF (576.68 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Review Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejh.2024.273555.2030 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Earl Adriane Abella Cano ; Adrian Carlo Villanueva Sandoval; Nyll Jocas Padilla Santos; Shanley Daniella Mae Superable Satrain; Keane Kasey Reyes Sulita; Jennifer Logdat Tan; Alyssa Anne Dela Cruz Tolentino  ; Teschia Lian Derequito Tugonon
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| Department of Medical Technology, Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing, Far Eastern University-Manila | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Clearing in tissue processing removes alcohol and allows the tissue to be infiltrated with paraffin wax. It renders the tissue transparent, making it easier to be examined under the microscope. The most commonly used clearing agent in the laboratory is xylene. However, despite being proven as an effective clearing agent, xylene is still extremely hazardous and could endanger one’s health. Aim of the Work: The aim of the study is to do a systematic review on the potential of plant-based oils to be an alternative to xylene in the histopathological clearing process. Materials and Methods: Articles for this review were searched from PubMed, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar using the combination of the terms oil, plant-based, vegetable, clearing agent, alternative, xylene, cedarwood oil, palm oil, eucalyptus oil, carrot oil, olive oil, pine oil, rose oil, clove oil, groundnut oil, and coconut oil. Using the PRISMA flowchart and the established inclusion criteria, a total of twenty-two (22) studies were included. Data were then extracted, verified, and interpreted. Results: Majority of the studies showed that oils such as coconut, olive, carrot, rose, pine, groundnut, and palm oils are comparable to xylene. Tissues treated with these oils, if not better, showed a similar capability to xylene in producing a good quality of staining, gross tissue changes, and cellular architecture after the clearing process. Conclusion: Plant-based oils have the potential to be bio-friendly alternative to xylene in the histopathological clearing process. However, further investigation involving a wide array of specimens, storage, incubation, and other techniques is recommended to address the minor inconsistencies observed in the results. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Alternative; clearing agent; histopathology; plant-based oil; xylene | ||||
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