The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in cell differentiation and apoptosis. Collagen is the major component of ECM. Here, an ESR signal of the hydroxyl radicals (.OH) generated via Fe2+ -mediated Fenton reaction was found to be significantly inhibited by type I collagen. Further study showed that type I collagen also inhibited cell apoptosis induced by.OH, as evidenced by morphological criteria (DAPI and annexin V staining) and quantitive assays for apoptotic cells (MTT and flow-cytometric assay for subG1 cells). By addition of type I collagen in HeLa cells, the lipid peroxidation caused by.OH was inhibited and the cellular GSH was protected. In comparison with type I collagen, BSA and the denatured collagen, gelatin, lacked such antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects. Together, the results suggest that type I collagen can uniquely prevent.OH-mediated apoptosis by scavenging free radicals.