Abstract:Aim To study the effect of Huomai Yin on atherosclerosis. Methods The experimental model of atherosclerosis in rabbits was established by endothelial injury by balloon and hyper-lipid feed.The atheroslerosis plaque area,collagen and matrixmetalloproteinase-1 differences between groups were evaluated at the end of the study. Results At the end of 8 weeks after endothelial injury by balloon,the plaque area in Huomai Yin highdose group(every day 12 g/kg) was smaller than that in hyper lipid group(p<0.01);compared with simvastatin group,the plaque area in highdose group was larger,but the difference wasn't significant(p<0.05);compared with hyper lipid group,the plaque area in lowdose group(every day 6 g/kg) wasn't significantly smaller(p<0.05).Collagen was reduced in highdose group and lowdose group than in hyper lipid group(p<0.01,p<0.05).Collagen wasn't significantly different between highdose group and simvastatin group(p<0.05),but collagen in lowdose group was more than simvastatin group(p<0.05). The express of matrixmetalloproteinase-1 in highdose group and simvastatin group wasn't significantly different(p<0.05),but was higher than that in hyper lipid group(p<0.01). Conclusions Huomai Yin has therapeutic effect on atherosclerosis in rabbit.Huomai Yin could modulate the express of matrixmetalloproteinase-1 and decrease collagen accumulation in the atherosclerosis plaque.