The protective effect of myricetin against tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced oxidative stress in human erythrocytes was investigated. Incubating erythrocytes with t-BHP (10(-5) M) caused development of oxidative stress, as evidenced by significant (p < 0.05) increase in erythrocyte malondialdedyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl content, and decrease in intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH), membrane sulphydryl (-SH) groups. Incubation of erythrocytes with myricetin, simultaneously with t-BHP, protected the erythrocytes from oxidative stress, an effect which was dose-dependent. The results demonstrate that myricetin attenuates t-BHP induced oxidative damage, suggesting that supplementation of diet with myricetin/myricetin rich food may be beneficial in all pathological conditions where the antioxidant system of the body is overwhelmed.