Abstract
The cerebellum is anatomically situated behind the brain stem inside the posterior cranial fossa. As an important part of nervous system, it can be affected by oxidative stress. Dietary supplements have been shown to have antioxidants properties that may protect our bodies from the dangerous effects of free radicals. One such supplement is Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) which has health-improving effects particularly on the nervous system. Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a widely used chemotherapy drug that can cause an oxidative stress. This study was carried out to investigate the role of AFA in prohibiting the adverse effects induced by cyclophosphamide on the cerebellum of the animals treated with CP. It was carried out on 36 rats with body weights of 270-330 g. The animals were classified into three groups. The first one is control group, the second is CP treated group, received one dose of CP at 100 mg/kg, and last group is CP+ AFA group, received orally extract of AFA after CP injection. The structure of the cerebellar tissue was compared in the different groups histologically. The examined sections showed significant cellular injury in the second group compared to the control group. The third group treated with AFA after CP injection showed marked improvement in the changes that occurred compared to the second group. These results provide evidence that AFA has a protective effect as it reduces the cellular injuries in the cerebellum induced by cyclophosphamide.