Ameliorative Effects of Pearl Millet ( <i>Pennisetum glaucum</i> L.) Against Hydrogen Peroxide Induced Cognitive Impairment and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Pearl millet (PM) (<i>Pennisetum glaucum</i> L.) contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, mostly flavonoids and phenolic acids. In the present study, we investigated the effects of PM activity against hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced behavior impairment and oxidative damage in rats. The rats were divided into four groups based on the treatments they received over 30 days: Control, H₂O₂, PM + H₂O₂, and PM. The phytochemical screening, total polyphenols content (TFC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) were determined using colorimetric analysis. All animals were subjected to behavioral test (elevated plus maze test). Thereafter, oxidative stress response (malondialdehyde [MDA], H₂O₂, and Thiol groups [-SH]) contents and antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) were estimated in brain, liver, and kidney tissues. We evaluated the levels of liver enzymes, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT). Our investigation showed that PM is rich in total phenolic content and TFC and exhibited an important <i>in vitro</i> antioxidant activity. <i>In vivo</i>, we first found that H₂O₂-treated rat exhibited anxiogenic behavior in the elevated plus maze test and the genesis of oxidative stress in the brain, liver, and kidney was measured by an increase of MDA and antioxidant enzyme activity depletion, such as SOD and CAT. Moreover, H₂O₂ increased levels of liver enzymes (ALAT and ASAT). Pearl Mille administration improved emotional behavior impairments and significantly reversed H₂O₂-induced biochemical alterations. Thus, we suggest that the Pearl Mille may have an anxiolytic-like effect and prevent biochemical disorders associated from the oxidative stress (H₂O₂), confirming its potential therapeutic capability.