Objective: To investigate the effect of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsules on the expression of proteins associated with NACHT-LRR-PYD-containing protein 3（NLRP3） and transforming growth factor-β（TGF-β） in hyperlipidemic rabbits with carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: A total of 40 New Zealand white rabbits were divided into normal control group

model control group

Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule group

atorvastatin calcium tablet group

and Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule+atorvastatin calcium tablet group

with 8 rabbits in each group. After 1 week of adaptive feeding

all rabbits except those in the normal control group were treated with air drying of the carotid intima to establish an animal model. After surgery

the rabbits in the normal control group were given normal diet

and those in the other groups were given high-fat diet for 4 weeks

corresponding drugs were given by gavage. Related indices were measured 4 weeks later. Results: As for blood lipids

compared with the model control group

the medication groups had significant reductions in serum levels of total cholesterol

triglyceride

and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol（P < 0.05）. As for the morphology of the carotid artery

the normal control group had complete structure and ordered arrangement of cells

while the model control group had significant proliferation of cells and lipid plaques and fibrous caps composed of a large number of foam cells

with partial rupture and inflammatory cell infiltration. After treatment

each medication group had marked alleviation of blood vessel lesions

and the combined medication group had a better improvement than the other groups. As for the expression of serum inflammatory factors

compared with the model control group

the medication groups had a significant reduction in the protein expression of NLRP3 in serum（P < 0.01） and a significant increase in the protein expression of TGF-β in serum（P <0.05）. As for the expression of carotid inflammatory factors

compared with the model control group

the Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsule group and the atorvastatin calcium tablet group had significant reductions in the protein expression of NLRP3

caspase-1

interleukin-1β（IL-1β）

and interleukin-17（IL-17）（P < 0.05） and significant increases in the protein expression of TGF-β and interleukin-10（IL-10）（P < 0.05） in the carotid artery. After the intervention of Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsules combined with atorvastatin calcium tablets

there were significant reductions in the protein expression of NLRP3

caspase-1

IL-1β

and IL-17（P < 0.01） and significant increases in the protein expression of TGF-β and IL-10（P < 0.01） in the carotid artery. Conclusion: Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu capsules may reduce blood lipids and improve atherosclerosis by inhibiting the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome and regulating the release of TGF-β and its downstream inflammatory factors.