Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effects of total flavonoids from bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens) leaves (BLE) on UVB- irradiated oxidative damage in HaCaT keratinocytes. METHODS The HaCaT cells were pretreated with BLE for 24 h and then exposed to UVB (20 mJ/cm²) for 2 h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)， lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT)， superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were measured. mRNA transcription levels of these antioxidant enzymes were determined by RT-PCR assay. In addition， the production of TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA assay. RESULTS BLE significantly reduced the UVB-induced HaCaT cell damage and improved the cell survival rates (P<0.05). Compared to the control group， BLE decreased the levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation， and increased the activities and mRNA transcription levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes (SOD， CAT and GSH-Px) in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. In addition， BLE also inhibited the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION BLE can exhibit cytoprotective activities against UVB-induced oxidative damage in HaCaT cells through the reduction of ROS， inhibition of lipid peroxidation and regulation of antioxidant enzymes activities. In addition， BLE can also decrease the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells.