Cytoprotection can be defined as the ability to protect cells against wide variety of damaging agents. A series of recent studies indicate that many substances participate in this process. It has been proved that different mechanisms as inhibition of oxidative stress or apoptosis mediate in cytoprotection. However, a number of mechanisms responsible for this extremely compound process remain still unknown. In this revew we discuss the scientific evidence documenting cytoprotective agents and pathways of their activity.