Objectives : This study was carried out to examine protective effect of wild ginseng extract on HepG2 human hepatoma cell line against tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage. Methods : To evaluate protective effect of wild ginseng extract against t-BHP induced cytotoxicity, LDH level and activity of glutathione peroxidase and reductase were measured. Gene expression was also measured using DNA microarray. Results : Wild ginseng extract showed a significant protective effect against t-BHP-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cell line. It is not, however, related with the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. Analysis of gene expression using DNA chip, demonstrated that 28 genes were up-regulated in t-BHP only group. Five genes - selenoprotein P, glutathione peroxidase 3, sirtuin 2, peroxiredoxin 2, serfiredoxin 1 homolog - may be related with the protective effect of wild ginseng extract. Conclusions : Based on the results, a protective effect of wild ginseng extract against t-BHP-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cell line is not associated with the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, but with the expression of selenoprotein P, glutathione peroxidase 3, sirtuin 2, peroxiredoxin 2, and serfiredoxin 1 homolog.