1. Chondrogenic assay: Alcian blue staining solution reacts with acidic mucopolysaccharides in cartilage tissue to produce a blue color, which can be used for the identification of chondrocytes.
2. Cartilage tissue: Quantitative analysis of acidic mucopolysaccharides in cartilage tissue. Cartilage is deep blue, while other components are light blue or nearly colorless. Alcian blue staining clearly shows the morphology and structure of cartilage, including tide lines, and allows observation of any damage to the cartilage tissue.
3. Acidic mucinous substances: Alcian blue staining is the standard method for displaying acidic mucinous substances. It is commonly used to differentiate between myxosarcoma (positive) and liposarcoma (negative), and can also be used for staining Cryptococcus neoformans capsules.
4. Hematologic staining: Alcian blue staining is of great significance in the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia.