Objective: To find the prevention of restenosis after transluminal angioplasty (TA). Methods:Sixty rabbit iliac arteries of 30 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group A, B and C, 20 in each.After experimental atherosclerotic stenosis and TA performing, ordinary forage plus 2 g of Hirudo (Hirudo nipponica whitmania ) powder was fed to group A every day, to the group B, 2 g Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage root) powder was added and to the group C, ordinary forage only. Angiography and pathomorphological examination were carried out 30 days later. Results: (1) Hirudo significantly reduced the thickness of iliac intima as compared with the other two groups (P < 0. 05), the thickness in the group A, B and C was 40. 1 ±9. 8 μm,48.2 ±8. 2μm and 69. 3± 9. 2μm respectively. (2) The incidence of restenosis after TA in both group A (31. 4 % ) and group B (48. 4% )were significantly lower than that in the group C (62. 8 %, P < 0. 05 ). The difference was also found between the group A and B (P < 0. 05). (3 ) Ultrastructure examined by transmission electron microscopy showed that less rough endoplasmic reticulum and more myofilaments in well differentiated smooth muscle cell (SMC) of the arterial intima in the group A and B, while in the group C, more rough endoplasmic reticulum, more synthetic cells were seen in SMC. Conclusions: Hirudo and Salvia miltiorrhiza could effectively inhibit the hyperplasia of SMC in arterial intima and reduce intima thickness and the incidence of restenosis after TA significantly, thus it might play a role in the prevention of restenosis after TA. The effect of Hirudo is more potent than that of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Method:Sixty rabbit iliac arteries of 30 rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group A, B and C, 20 in each.After experimental atherosclerotic stenosis and TA performing, Ordinary forage plus 2 g of Hirudo (Hirudo nipponica whitmania ) powder was fed to group A every day, to the group B, 2 g Salvia miltiorrhiza (red sage root) powder was added and to the group C, ordinary forage only. Angiography and Pathomorphological examination were carried out 30 days later. Results: (1) Hirudo significantly reduced the thickness of iliac intima as compared with the other two groups (P < 0. 05), the thickness in the group A, B and C was 40. 1 ±9. 8 μm, 48.2 ±8. 2μm and 69. 3± 9. 2μm respectively. (2) The incidence of restenosis after TA in both group A (31.4 %) and group B (48. 4%) Were apparent lower than that that in the group C (62. 8 %, P < 0. 05 ). The difference was also found between the g Roup A and B (P < 0. 05). (3) Ultrastructure examined by transmission electron microscopy showed that less rough endoplasmic reticulum and more myofilaments in well differentiated smooth muscle cell (SMC) of the arterial intima in the group A and B, While in group C, more rough endoplasmic reticulum, more synthetic cells were seen in SMC. Conclusions: Hirudo and Salvia miltiorrhiza could effectively inhibit the hyperplasia of SMC in arterial intima and reduce intima thickness and the incidence of restenosis after TA significantly, thus it Might play a role in the prevention of restenosis after TA. The effect of Hirudo is more potent than that of Salvia miltiorrhiza.