Background: Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and the most common complications such as atherosclerosis, nerve damage, renal failure, male impotence and infection. The present study was conducted to assess total antioxidant status in relation to oxidative stress in type II diabetes. Materials & Methods: 90 type II diabetes patients and healthy subjects of both genders were subjected to assessment of malondialdehyde levels and total antioxidant status. Results: Group I had 50 males and 40 females and group II had 45 males and 45 females. The mean malondialdehyde (MDA) level in group I was 3.68 µM and in group II was 1.90 µM. The mean total antioxidant status (TAS) in group I was 0.48 mM and in group II was 1.68 mM in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Type II diabetes mellitus patients exhibited decreased TAS status and increased MDA levels. It may be considered as an early marker of the pathogenesis of complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus