الفهرس 
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Abstract
Introduction Health hazards such as dental caries, obesity, and diabetes markedly increased the use of artificial sweeteners. Aspartame (ASP) is one of the most common artificial sweeteners used all over the world, it was approved by food drug administration (FDA) for use in carbonated soft drinks in 1983. It is used as a substitute for sugar in some foods and beverages. Stevia is a natural sweetener extract derived from the plant Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni. It includes several compounds that have a sweet taste. Recently stevia products have been marketed as a natural, non-caloric tabletop sweetener and included in soft drinks. Omega-3 (OM3) fatty acids are a family of unsaturated fatty acids identified as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), that are considered to be essential (not synthesized de novo by mammals) and must be obtained from external sources such as vegetable, fish oil, and marine animals. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) are the most vital PUFAs in neuronal membranes. The Aim of this study: The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of aspartame and stevia on the cerebellar cortex of adult male albino rats, to compare the histopathological changes of aspartame versus stevia and to evaluate the possible protective effects of omega-3 against aspartame and stevia induced cerebellar injury. Materials and methods: This work was carried out on thirty adult male albino rats. They were divided into five groups of six rats each i.e. control group and four experimental groups (ASP group, stevia group, ASP+omega-3 group, and stevia+omega-3 group). ASP was given dissolved in distilled water at a dose of (250 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks via intragastric tube. Also, a dose of stevia (250 mg/kg/day) dissolved in distilled water was used via intragastric tube. Omega-3 was given in a dose of (100mg/kg/day) to groups 4 and 5. Then, the rats were sacrificed by decapitation under halothane anaethesia. The brain was carefully removed. The cerebella were dissected out and processed for histological and Immunohistochemical staining. The cerebella were divided into two halves through the vermis. Paraffin sections were prepared and stained with Hx&E, cresyl violet and silver stains. Also, immunohistochemical staining for COX-2 and Caspase-3 were done. Results : Our study revealed that both aspartame and stevia had a harmful effect on the structure of the cerebellar cortex of the albino rat. However, stevia had less harmful effects than aspartame. Omega-3 had an ameliorating effect on the harmful effects of both stevia and aspartame. It decreased the harmful effects of stevia to a great extent so that the cerebellar cortex returned near to normal in structure. However, its effects on the adverse effects of aspartame were less potent.