The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative capacity of ethanol extracts from Sanguisorbae officinalis L. root (Sanguisorbae radix) in vitro. The concentration of Sanguisorbae radix extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 0.33 mg/mL, which was similar to $IC_{50}$ of ${alpha}$-tocopherol (0.40 mg/mL), as compared to 100% by pyrogallol as a reference. Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity against ABTS radical reactions. Total antioxidant capacities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of ${alpha}$-tocopherol. Superoxide scavenging activities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of catechin. Oxygen radical absorbance capacities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of ascorbic acid. Cupric reducing antioxidant capacities of Sanguisorbae radix extract were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those of ${alpha}$-tocopherol. Sanguisorbae radix extract prevented supercoiled DNA strand breakage induced by hydroxyl radical and peroxyl radical. Total phenolic contents of Sanguisorbae radix extract at concentrations of 0.5 and 5 mg/mL were 0.50 and 3.33 mM gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Sanguisorbae radix extract at concentration of 0.01, 0.1 and 0.5 mg/mL inhibited 0.2 mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cytotoxicity by 33.8, 79.1 and 96.9%, respectively, in HepG2 cell culture system. Thus, strong antioxidant and cytotoxicity-ihnibiting effects of Sanguisorbae radix extract seem to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicals-induced oxidation as well as high levels in total phenolic contents.