Ilex spinigera (Aquifoliaceae) plant is an evergreen tree or shrub with thick glossy dark green leaves and red fruits. This plant has medicinal properties and has been used traditionally in northern Iran for malaria treatment. The aim of this work is to evaluate the antioxidative activities and the inhibitory effect of I. spinigera on the oxidation of DNA. We have found no reports about the popular use of I. spinigera in terms of its chemistry and biology. In this study we report the antioxidant activity of I. spinigera extracts for the first time. Water, ethanol and methanol were used as extraction solvents. Various experimental models including iron (III) reducing power, total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, PAB assay and in-vitro inhibition of AAPH-induced oxidation of DNA were used for characterization of antioxidant activity of the extracts. The three extracts showed varying degrees of efficacy in each assay in a dose-dependent manner. The aqueous extract with the highest content of total phenolics, was the most potent antioxidant in all assays except in DPPH assay. The methanol extract with the highest amount of total flavonoids was the potent scavenger of DPPH radical with an IC50 value of 102.22 ± 0.001 μg/mL. Aqueous extract of I. spinigera also showed the protective effect on DNA damage-induced by AAPH. According to our results, I. spinigera leaves extract have the potential for chemoprotective studies
