Neutral red

From Food & Medicine Encyclopedia

Chemical Compound
Neutral red.svg
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
ChemSpider ID
UNII
ChEBI
ChEMBL
Properties
Chemical Formula
Molar Mass
Appearance
Density
Melting Point
Boiling Point
Hazards
GHS Pictograms [[File:|50px]]
GHS Signal Word
GHS Hazard Statements
NFPA 704 [[File:|50px]]
References

Neutral Red is a eukaryotic vital stain used for staining lysosomes. It is commonly used in cell biology and histology to identify living cells and tissues.

Properties[edit]

Neutral Red is a weakly basic dye that is soluble in water and ethanol. It has a molecular formula of C15H17ClN4 and a molecular weight of 288.78 g/mol. The dye appears as a dark green powder that turns red when dissolved in water.

Applications[edit]

Neutral Red is used in various biological assays to assess cell viability and cytotoxicity. It is particularly useful in the Neutral Red uptake assay, which measures the ability of cells to incorporate and bind the dye within their lysosomes. This assay is often used to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of chemical compounds and environmental toxins.

Mechanism of Action[edit]

The dye penetrates the cell membrane and accumulates in the lysosomes due to the acidic environment within these organelles. The accumulation of Neutral Red in lysosomes is a function of the pH gradient across the lysosomal membrane, which is maintained by the proton pump activity.

Safety and Handling[edit]

Neutral Red should be handled with care, as it can be harmful if ingested or inhaled. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and safety goggles should be worn when handling the dye.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.