Objective:The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of modified Chaihu Wendan decoction（mCWD） on atherosclerosis and its possible mechanisms.Method:Selected elder hypertensive patients were divided into three groups at random

i.e.Atrovastatin group

mCWD group andAtrovastatin plus mCWD group.These three groups were referred to as A group

C group and A+C group hereafter

respectively.Based on regular lowering-pressure treatments

specifically

A group was treated with Atrovastatin of 20 mg per day further

C group with mCWD in dose of 20 g per time

around each meal and three times a day

and A+C group with both Atrovastatin and mCWD in the same way and the dose for each medicine above mentioned.At selected time points

the effects of above treatments were examined by testing the changes of platelet alpha-granule membrane protein（GMP）-140（Radioimmunoassay

RIA） and intima-media thickness（IMT） of left common carotid（ultrasonic waves）.Result: Firstly

at the end of 12 and 18 month treatments

the plasma concentrations of GMP-140 of both C and A+C groups decreased significantly compared with those in A group and the initial values（P<0.01）

and there was no difference between C group and A+C group;But until the end of 18 months the value of A group was lower than the initial one（P<0.05）.Secondly

at the end of 12 moths

compared with A group and the values prior to treatments

the change values of IMT in C group and A+C group were apparently lower（P<0.01）

there was no appreciable difference between C group and A+C group.At the end of 18 moths

the IMT values of both C group and A+C group were lower than those in A group as well（P<0.01）

there was no difference between C group and A+C group yet;and the IMT values in all groups were lower obviously than those at the end of 12 moths and those prror to treatment

too（P<0.01）.Conclusion:MCWD can attenuate the activity of platelet alpha-granule membrane protein and is an effective medicine for the treatment of anti-atherosclerosis.