EGCG [(-)-epigallocatechin gallate], is a major component of green tea has been considered as a major antioxidant constituent. It has been considered as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. However, very little is known about the cellular actions by which EGCG mediates its therapeutic effects. Various aspects of antioxidant activity of EGCG were evaluated in this study. EGCG itself did not show significant cytotoxicity. Significant 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was observed in all ranges of concentration (0.8-100μ/mℓ used in this study. Protective effect of EGCG against hydrogen peroxide induced cell death was observed. Relatively high lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity were detected ( IC50was about 20μg/mℓ). EGCG also dose-dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in V79-4 cells. In concentrations of 100μ/mℓ of EGCG, activities of SOD, CAT and GPX were measured as 36.9 U/mg of protein, 22.9 U/mg of protein and 17.8 U/mg of protein, respectively. When these values were compared with those of the control groups (24.9 U/mg of protein, 14.9 U/mg of protein and 11.7 U/mg of protein), the relative increases were calculated as 48, 54 and 52%, respectively. Taken together, our findings suggest that EGCG can act as an antioxidant by scavenging radicals and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities.