Abstract: Aim To assess the antioxidative properties and the mechanism of action of dihydromyricetin (DMY) from Ampelopsis grossedentata. Methods The antioxidative properties of DMY were measured by scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and inhibiting lipid peroxidation induced by FeSO₄-edetic acid in linoleic acid. The mechanism of antioxidative properties of DMY was tested by measuring the chelating activities of DMY for Fe²⁺ with ultraviolet spectrum (UV) method. Results The specific absorption of DPPH radical solution at 517 nm was reduced 73.3%-91.5% when DMY was added into the reaction solution in the concentration range from 0.01% to 0.04%. DMY was shown to greatly inhibit the increase of lipid peroxidation (LPO) values in linolei acid system catalyzed by FeSO₄-edetic acid. The reaction rates (A₅₃₂·min^-1) of lipid peroxidation were 0.002 1-0.000 4 in the concentration range from 0.01% to 0.04% and the inhibition activities of DMY was found to be in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism of antioxidative properties of DMY was chelating Fe²⁺ in the Fe²⁺-dependent lipid peroxidation system. Conclusion DMY showed great antioxidative effect and would be a good natural antioxidant.