Objective    To observe the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on mRNA expressions of ABCA1 and LXRα and lipid deposition in foam cells.     Methods    Peritoneal macrophages obtained from SD rats after purification were incubated with ox-LDL for 48 h to establish foam cell model. PNS (20

40

80 μg/ml

respectively) were given for intervention. The cellular lipid accumulation was examined by oil red staining. The cellular contents of total cholesterol (TC)

free cholesterol (FC) and cholesterol ester (CE) and the ratio of CE/TC were detected by enzymic methods. The mRNA levels of ABCA1 and LXRα were determined by RT-PCR.     Results    The contents of TC

FC

CE and CE/TC ratio in model group were significantly increased compared with control group (P0.05). Compared with model group

40 and 80 μg/ml PNS reduced the contents of TC

FC

CE and CE/TC ratio remarkably (P0.05) and increased ABCA1 and LXRα mRNA expressions significantly (P0.01).     Conclusion    PNS reduces lipid deposition and upregulates ABCA1 and LXRα mRNA expressions in foam cells.