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-αand 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 in-hibited the secretion of TNF-αand IL-6 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells.CONCLUSION BLE can exhibit cytoprotective activi-ties 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-αand IL-6 in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells.