Objective To investigate the effect of Rhodiola rosea and Simvastatin on the
arteriosclerosis rabbit model.Methods Arteiosclerosis
rabbit model was established with high-fat diet and angioplasty, then 30 New Zealand rabbits were divided into control group, Rhodiola rosea group and Simvastatin group. The blood lipid, serum MMP-3 and pathological histology were observed. Results Rhodiola rosea and Simvastatin could both decrease serum total cholesterol and LDL-C, serum MMP-3 also dropped(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).Two medicines could both decrease CD34, VEGF, MMP-3 and collagen(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01)positive area in the arteriosclerotic plaque by means of immunohistochemistry techniques. The collagen positive area was decreased less and CD34 positive area dropped more in Rhodiola rosea group than that in Simvastatin group(P < 0.01). The αSMA positive area was little affected by Simvastatin but significantly decreased by Rhodiola rosea(P < 0.01).Conclusion Rhodiola rosea could inhibit
angiogenesis and degradation of partial extracellular matrix in the
arteriosclerosis rabbit model. These mechanisms might stabilize arterioscleroric plaque .