Objective To explore the potential anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of Huxin Fang (护心方,HF).Methods THP-1 cells were incubated with 160nmol/L phorbol esters polyclonal stimulants for 48 hours to differentiate into macrophages,and then 50mg/L oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were added for another 48 hours to make them transfer into foam cells.After that,serum containing 40％ HF were added for 12 hours.Autophagyassociated proteins microtube-associated protein light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3-Ⅱ),microtubule-associated protein light chain 3Ⅰ (LC3-Ⅰ),Beclin and p62 expressions were detected by Western blotting,while the distribution and content of autophagic protein index LC3B were observed by laser confocal microscopy.Results Compared with the blank group,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the model group significantly increased,the expression of p62 decreased and the average fluorescence intensity of LC3 B significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the model group,the expression of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin-1 in the HF group significantly decreased,the expression of p62 significantly increased and the average fluorescence intensity of LC3 B decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion HF could reverse the expression of the autophagy-related proteins induced by ox-LDL,thereby resisting excessive autophagy during arteriosclerosis.This might be one of the possible anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of HF.