[6]-Gingerol is known as the major bioactive constituent of ginger. In the study, it was observed to effectively protect against ${ullet}OH$-induced DNA damage ($IC_{50}$ $328.60{pm}24.41{mu}M$). Antioxidant assays indicated that [6]-gingerol could efficiently scavenge various free radicals, including ${ullet}OH$ radical ($IC_{50}$ $70.39{pm}1.23{mu}M$), ${ullet}O_2{^-}$ radical ($IC_{50}$ $228.40{pm}9.20{mu}M$), $DPPH{ullet}$radical ($IC_{50}$ $27.35{pm}1.44{mu}M$), and $ABTS{^+}{ullet}$radical ($IC_{50}$ $2.53{pm}0.070{mu}M$), and reduce $Cu^{2+}$ ion ($IC_{50}$ $11.97{pm}0.68{mu}M$). In order to investigate the possible mechanism, the reaction product of [6]-gingerol and $DPPH{ullet}$ radical was further measured using HPLC combined mass spectrometry. The product showed a molecular ion peak at m/z 316 $[M+Na]^+$, and diagnostic fragment loss (m/z 28) for quinone. On this basis, it can be concluded that: (i) [6]-gingerol can effectively protect against ${ullet}OH$-induced DNA damage; (ii) a possible mechanism for [6]-gingerol to protect against oxidative damage is ${ullet}OH$ radical scavenging; (iii) [6]-gingerol scavenges ${ullet}OH$ radical through hydrogen atom ($H{ullet}$) transfer (HAT) and sequential electron (e) proton transfer (SEPT) mechanisms; and (iv) both mechanisms make [6]-gingerol be oxidized to semi-quinone or quinone forms.