Madder
Madder (Rubia tinctorum)
Brief Background:
Alizarin is a histochemical stain that highlights calcium. It is used by dermatopathologists to detect dermal calcium in disorders such as pseudoxanthoma elasticum and calcinosis cutis.
Originally alizarin vegetable dye was prepared from the madder plant Rubia tinctorum, but now a synthetic preparation is used which is chemically identical. A study investigated alizarin in the treatment of viral infections
Expert Opinion and Historic Precedent:
Alizarin has been used as a staining agent for centuries. Its use as a bone marker has been studied; however, data available for other indications is insufficient.
Madder, the plant from which alizarin vegetable dye was originally prepared, has been regarded as a mild diuretic. This effect may be the result of a spasmolytic effect on the ureters.
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