Literatures about the effect of traditional Chinese medicine on vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) have been analyzed. Atherosclerosis(AS) has big damage on humans. Phenotypic

excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells are the key to pathogenic mechanism of diseases

so studying the effect of traditional Chinese medicine on VSMC is significant on prevention of atherosclerosis. This paper mainly reviews promoting phenotypic of traditional Chinese medicine on vsmc

inhibiting excessive proliferation and migration and its mechanism

basic animal experiment

also discusses the relationship of VSMC with endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells and macrophage. Research has showed that traditional Chinese medicine has good effect on vascular diseases

because of its complicated composition

difficult to definite its mechanism and to control its quality

and its side effect which limit its application in clinic. Therefore

combing with serum pharmacology and strengthening studying on active monomer compounds of traditional Chinese medicine may bring new hopes for AS.