Physiological stress such as excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production may contribute normal fibroblasts activation into cancer‑associated fibroblasts, which serve a crucial role in certain types of cancer such as pancreatic, breast, liver and lung cancer. The present study aimed to examine the cytoprotective effects of luteolin (3',4',5,7‑tetrahydroxyflavone) against hydrogen peroxide (HO)‑generated oxidative stress in lung fibroblasts. To examine the effects of luteolin against HO‑induced damages, cell viability, sub‑G cell population, nuclear staining with Hoechst 33342, lipid peroxidation and comet assays were performed. To evaluate the effects of luteolin on the protein expression level of apoptosis, western blot assay was performed. To assess the antioxidant effects of luteolin, detection of ROS using HDCFDA staining, O‑ and ·OH using electron spin resonance spectrometer and antioxidant enzyme activity was performed. In a cell‑free chemical system, luteolin scavenges superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical generated by xanthine/xanthine oxidase and the Fenton reaction (FeSO/HO). Furthermore, Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79‑4) treated with HO showed a significant increase in cellular ROS. Intracellular ROS levels and damage to cellular components such as lipids and DNA in HO‑treated cells were significantly decreased by luteolin pretreatment. Luteolin increased cell viability, which was impaired following HO treatment and prevented HO‑mediated apoptosis. Luteolin suppressed active caspase‑9 and caspase‑3 levels while increasing Bcl‑2 expression and decreasing Bax protein levels. Additionally, luteolin restored levels of glutathione that was reduced in response to HO. Moreover, luteolin enhanced the activity and protein expressions of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and heme oxygenase‑1. Overall, these results indicated that luteolin inhibits HO‑mediated cellular damage by upregulating antioxidant enzymes.