Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the effect of total flavones of crataegus leaves(FMCL) on experimental atherosclerosis in rabbits. METHODS Atherosclerotic rabbit models were replicated by feeding a high-lipid diet. The blood samples were assayed for the content of TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C level. The section of aortia were examined pathologicaly. The expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 in plaques were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS The histopathological of aortic arch showed the alleviation of atherosclerotic damage by FMCL. FMCL was found to reduce serum TG, and elevate serum HDL-C level. The immunohistochemistry showed that Bax expression was significantly downregulated, but Bcl-2 expression was upregulated, Bax /Bcl-2 ratio of the positive cells was significantly lower in the FMCL group than that in the model group. CONCLUSION FMCL showed an antiatherosclerotic effect in rabbits. The mechanisms involved may be related to that FMCL could decrease the serum lipid, and adjust the expression of Bax, Bcl-2.