The components in Van Gieson solution are which of the following?

• A. Picric acid and acid fuchsin
• B. Hematoxylin and eosin
• C. Methylene blue and saffron
• D. Acid fuchsin and orange G

Answer: (A)

Van Gieson staining differentiates collagen from other tissue components by using two dyes: picric acid and acid fuchsin. Picric acid gives collagen a yellow coloration, while acid fuchsin stains muscle, cytoplasm, and other elements pink to red. This contrast makes connective tissue stand out clearly against surrounding tissue. Other dye combinations like hematoxylin and eosin or different trichrome formulations use different pairs, so they do not represent the Van Gieson solution.