Background & aim: Salvia has anti-oxidant oxygen free radicals which are generated during the interruption and reestablishment of ischemia reperfusion.  The aim of study was to investigate the effect of Salvia Rhytidea extract on the number of cells of different layers of cerebellar cortex following ischemia reperfusion in rats.

Methods: In the present experimental study, 35 adult male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups of 5: Group 1 (control-): Sampling without ischemia. Group 2 (control +): Cerebellar ischemia with administration of normal saline. Group 3(sham): Manipulation without ischemia with normal saline administration. Group 4   received (3.2 mg/kg) aqueous and alcoholic Salvia extract 2 hours after ischemia. Group 5 received 50 mg/kg silymarin drug, 2 hours after ischemia. Group 6 received 3.2 mg/kg aqueous and alcoholic Salvia extract 72, 48, 24 and 0 h before ischemia and group 7 received silymarin drug (50 mg/kg), 0, 24, 48, and 72, hrs. before ischemia. 24 hrs. following reperfusion, the rats were euthanized and samples of the cerebellum were obtained. By using routine histological technique, the sections were stained by H&E. The measurement of cell count in cerebellar cortex were accomplished. Data were evaluated with One-Way ANOVA and Tukey diagnostic tests.

Results: A significant decrease was observed in the number of neural cells in granular layer in the non-treated ischemia group and in the groups which received Salvia extract and silymarin, two hours after the ischemia (p< 0.05). No significant decrease was observed in the number of cells of this layer in the groups which received salvia extract before ischemia. But regarding the cell number of molecular and purkinje layers in above groups, no significant difference was observed compared to the control group (P˃0.05). However, no significant differences was seen in the number of cells layers compared to the control group (P˃0.05).

Conclusion: Finally, administration of salvia extract and silymarin after ischemia, did not have any effect on improving the number of neuronal cells in the granular layer. However, pretreatment with Salvia rhytidea extract similar to silymarin drug improved the cerebellar injuries following ischemia.