This chemical is a biological stain used in histology and cytology. It is used as a counterstain in some staining protocols, coloring all cell nuclei red. This is the classic counterstain in a Gram stain. It can also be used for the detection of cartilage, mucin and mast cell granules. It is mainly used as oxidation-reduction [redox] and acid-base indicator. It is a redox and adsorption indicator. Employed as a biological stain used in histology, cytology, bacteriology. It is commonly used as a counter stain for gram-negative bacteria in the Gram stain procedure. It has been observed to bind to DNA at a pH 2.21. In the Flemming triple stain procedure it is used to stain for chromosomes. In late Paleozoic pteridosperm cuticles it has shown increased contrast, emphasized cutinization differences, and enhanced the three-dimensional morphology of complex epidermal features when compared with other dyes. The compound has also been used with alcian blue in the histochemical study of the distribution and morphometric characteristics of mast cells. It has also been used to detect mucin and cartilage.
2,8-Dimethylphenosafranine; 3,7-Diamino-2,8-dimethyl-5-phenazinium chloride; 3,7-Diamino-2,8-dimethyl-5-phenylphenazin-5-ium chloride; 3,7-Diamino-2,8-dimethyl-5-phenylphenazinium chloride; 3,7-Dimethyl-10-phenylphenazin-10-ium-2,8-diamine chloride; 3,7-Dimethyl-10-phenylphenazine-2,8-diamine chloride; Aniline Rose; Basic Red 2; Brilliant Safranine BR; Brilliant Safranine G; Brilliant Safranine GR; C.I. 50240; C.I. Basic Red 2; Calcozine Red Y; Cerven Zasadita 2; Cotton Red; Gossypimine; Hidaco Safranine; Leather Red HT; Mitsui Safranine; Mitsui Safranine T; Nippon Kagaku Safranine GK; Safranin; Safranin A; Safranin O; Safranin T; Safranin Y; Safranine; Safranine A; Safranine B; Safranine G; Safranine GF; Safranine J; Safranine O; Safranine OK; Safranine Superfine G; Safranine T; Safranine TH; Safranine TN; Safranine TS; Safranine Y; Safranine YN; Tolusafranine; Molecular formula: C20H19N4.Cl; Empirical Formula (Hill Notation): C20H19ClN4; CAS Number: 477-73-6; Molecular Weight: 350.84; Color Index Number: 50240; Beilstein/REAXYS Number: 3924099; EC Number: 207-518-8; MDL number: MFCD00011759;