Oxidative cell injury could be induced by different reactive oxygen species (ROS) operating in multiple pathways. The present work is focused on three different models of oxidative stress: the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system (XXO), an extracellular superoxide anion generator; tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP), an analogue of lipid hydroperoxides; and doxorubicin (Dox), an anticancer drug. Superoxide and peroxyl radicals, among other ROS, could be effectively scavenged by MnTM-4-PyP, a polyfunctional catalytic antioxidant. In this report, we have addressed the role of MnTM-4-PyP on the protection against the cytotoxicity induced by the three aforementioned oxidants. The effect of MnTM-4-PyP (0.1-100 microM) was evaluated in V79 fibroblasts using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide reduction and the crystal violet assays, as well as the mitotic index. Also, the generation of intracellular ROS was studied by the fluorescent probe dihydroethidium. MnTM-4-PyP has shown significant protective effects against the cytotoxicity of XXO and TBHP, increasing the cell viability in approximately 40% and reducing the intracellular level of ROS. However, no considerable protection occurred against Dox. The three oxidants caused a mitotic index reduction that was not altered by MnTM-4-PyP. In summary, MnTM-4-PyP appears to be a promising agent for the protection against oxidative injury. However, it has shown differential responses, reinforcing the need to study different experimental models for the adequate evaluation of its potentialities as a catalytic antioxidant.