We investigated the cytoprotective effect of phloroglucinol, which was isolated from Ecklonia cava (brown seaweed), against oxidative stress induced cell damage in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast(V79-4) cells. Phloroglucinol was found to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by $gamma-ray$ radiation. In addition, Phloroglucinol inhibited cell damage induced by radiation through scavenging ROS. Phloroglucinol increased the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activity, Taken together, the results suggest that phloroglucinol protectes V79-4 cells against oxidative damage by enhancing the cellular antioxidant enzymes activity.