Objective To investigate the influence of Tongxinluo（ TXL） ultrafine power on rabbit early atherosclerotic epicardial angiogenesis and its possible mechanisms. Methods Carotid artery cannula and high fat diet were used to build early atherosclerotic carotid artery injury rabbit model. Ninety New Zealand white rabbit models were randomly divided into control group

model group

atorvastatin group and TXL high

medium and low dose group

with 15 in each. The TXL high

medium and low dose group was given TXL ultrafine powder 0. 60

0. 30

0. 15 g /（ kg·d） respectively. The atorvastatin group were given atorvastatin solution 2. 50 mg /（ kg·d）

while the control group and model group were given 0. 5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution 3 ml /（ kg·d）. All groups were treated with gastric perfusion for 4 weeks. Carotid artery samples from the operation side were obtained to observe pathological features of vascular morphology. Microvessel density（ MVD） of carotid artery adventitia

activity of serum superoxide dismutase（ SOD）

malondialdehyde（ MDA） content

the expression levels of superoxide anion（ O-·2） in adventitia tissues

p38 MAPK and p-p38 MAPK protein in carotid artery tissues were detected. Results HE staining showed the carotid artery injuries of the TXL high and middle dose group and atorvastatin group were milder in varying degrees comparing with the model group. Also compared with the model group

the activity of serum SOD in the TXL high dose group and atorvastatin group increased

while MDA content

MVD of carotid adventitia

the expression levels of O-·2

p-p38 MAPK protein were decreased（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Conclusion TXL ultrafine powder can inhibit epicardial neovascularization in the early stage of atherosclerosis

its mechanism might be related to increase of antioxidant capacity of the vascular system and adventitia tissue and inhibite on p38 MAPK pathway activation.