In this study, the antioxidative effects of Equisetum arvense extracts were investigated. The free radical (1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH) scavenging activity ($FSC_{50}$) of extract/fractions of Equisetum arvense was in the order: 50 % ethanol extract ($182.04{mu}g/mL$) < ethylacetate fraction ($54.50{mu}g/mL$) < deglycosylated flavonoid aglycone fraction ($14.13{mu}g/mL$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activities ($OSC_{50}$) of some Equisetum arvense extracts on ROS generated in $Fe^{3+}-EDTA/H_2O_2$ system were investigated using the luminol- dependent chemiluminescence assay. The order of ROS scavenging activity was deglycosylated flavonoid aglycone fraction ($OSC_{50}$, $3.54{mu}g/mL$) < 50 % ethanol extract ($0.80{mu}g/mL$) < ethylacetate fraction ($0.006{mu}g/mL$). Ethylacetate fraction showed the most prominent scavenging activity. The protective effects of extract/fractions of Equisetum arvense on the rose-bengal sensitized photohemolysis of human erythrocytes were investigated. The ethanol extract (50%) suppressed photohemolysis in a concentration dependent manner, particularly deglycosylated aglycone extract exhibited the most prominent celluar protective effect ($ au_{50}$, 161.10 min at $10{mu}g/mL$). These results indicate that extract/fractions of Equisetum arvense can function as antioxidants in biological systems, particularly skin exposed to UV radiation by scavenging $^1O_2$ and other ROS, and protect cellular membranes against ROS.