BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the in vitro antioxidant and cytoprotective effects of fermented sesame sauce (FSeS) against hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative damage in renal proximal tubule LLC-PK1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl radical ($^{ullet}OH$), and $H_2O_2$ scavenging assay was used to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant activity of FSeS. To investigate the cytoprotective effect of FSeS against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative damage in LLC-PK1 cells, the cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation, and endogenous antioxidant enzymes including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) were measured. RESULTS: The ability of FSeS to scavenge DPPH, $^{ullet}OH$ and $H_2O_2$ was greater than that of FSS and AHSS. FSeS also significantly inhibited $H_2O_2$-induced ($500{mu}M$) oxidative damage in the LLC-PK1 cells compared to FSS and AHSS (P < 0.05). Following treatment with $100{mu}g/mL$ of FSeS and FSS to prevent $H_2O_2$-induced oxidation, cell viability increased from 56.7% (control) to 83.7% and 75.6%, respectively. However, AHSS was not able to reduce $H_2O_2$-induced cell damage (viability of the AHSS-treated cells was 54.6%). FSeS more effectively suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation and lipid peroxidation compared to FSS and AHSS (P < 0.05). Compared to the other sauces, FSeS also significantly increased cellular CAT, SOD, and GSH-px activities and mRNA expression (P < 0.05). CONCULUSIONS: These results from the present study suggest that FSeS is an effective radical scavenger and protects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative damage in LLC-PK1 cells by reducing ROS levels, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and stimulating antioxidant enzyme activity.