Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanisms of total flavones of crataegus leaves (TFCL) on experimental atherosclerosis(AS) in rabbits. METHODS The typical atherosclerosis in rabbits was formed by administrating with high-lipid food or together with TFCL for 80 d. The section of aortia were examined pathologically. The activities of SOD, GSH-PX, the level of NO, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum and the relative amount of COX-ⅡmRNA in aortia of atherosclerotic rabbits were detected. RESULTS Atherosclerotic rabbit models were replicated by feeding high-lipid food. TFCL could inhibit the formation of AS with decreasing the level of NO, CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α, increasing the activities of SOD and GSH-PX, down regulating the expression of COX-ⅡmRNA. CONCLUSION The protective effect of TFCL on atherosclerosis may result from elevating the activities of oxygen enzymes but suppressing the production of inflammation factor.