Objectives : The present study was under taken to characterize chemical composition, antioxidant and cyto-protecting capacity of essential oil obtained from leaves of Liriodendron tulipifera L. Methods : Essential oil from the leafof L. tulipifera L. (EOLL) was extracted by hydro-distillation process and further its chemical composition was evaluated by GC-MS analysis. The in vitro antioxidant potential of the EOLL was determined by DPPH • , ABTS •+ , superoxide and nitric oxide free radical

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... venging activity using different concentrations in the range of 50-800 µg/mL. In addition, cyto-protecting property of the EOLLwas determined by MTT assay on Raw 264.7 macrophage cells challenged with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Results : The result of GC-MS analysis showed presence of 34 volatile compounds, principally germacrene D, spathulenol, and α -cadinol in EOLL. The in vitro antioxidant assays of EOLL at the highest used concentration of 800 µg/mL showed 81.62, 84.29, 83.59 and 58.59% inhibition of DPPH • , ABTS •+ , superoxide, and nitric oxide radicals, respectively. It also showed ferric reducing ability with 1310.04 mM Fe (II)/g of essential oil. The EOLL at three different concentrations (200, 400 and 800 µg/mL) protected the cells from H2O2-induced cell damage through scavenging intracellular ROS. Conclusion : The findings from the study suggest that essential oil isolated from leaves of L tulipifera L. is a potent sources of natural antioxidants, which could be used to treat the diseases associated with oxidative stress condition.