Objective:To characterize the anti-atherosclerotic molecular mechanism of policosanol in atherosclerosis rat. Rat atherosclerosis model was prepared by intraperitoneal injection of vitamin D3 with high cholesterol diet for 12 weeks. Methods:Forty SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:the normal group,atherosclerosis (AS) group,atorvastatin group and policosanol group. Serum lipids and serum inflammatory cytokine hs-CRP were detected enzymatically(end-point method/CHO-PAP method) and ELISA method,respectively. The atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta was observed under an electron microscope. The expression of p-p38MAPK was analyzed by Western blot. Results:The normal group showed intact endothelium. AS formations were significantly greater in the AS group. The serum lipid levels,the content of serum inflammatory cytokines hs-CRP and the expression of p-p38MAPK in the policosanol group were between the AS group and the normal group,which were the highest in the AS group. Conclusion:Apart from its lipid-lowering effects,policosanol reduced the production of serum hs-CRP and inhibited the expression of p-p38MAPK in AS rats. The p38MAPK phosphorylation pathway may be involved in the anti-atherosclerosis molecular mechanism of policosanol in AS rats.