Aim To observe changes of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ(PPARγ) mRNA,ATP-binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1) mRNA and CD36 mRNA in foam cells which come from the peritoneal macrophage of apolipoprotein E knock out mice with giant knotweed rhizome,hawthorn and both of them,and discuss possible mechanism of anti-atherosclerosis on gene level. Methods ApolipoproteinE knock out mice peritoneal macrophage were incubated and divided into seven groups: blank group,polydatin group,extractive of hawthorn group,polydatin and extractive of hawthorn group,Lovastatin group,Rosiglitazone group and model group.Except for blank group,all other groups were added with oxidative low density lipoprotein and lipopolysaccharide.The course of incubation was 48 hours. Intracellular PPARγ mRNA,ABCA1 mRNA and CD36 mRNA of all groups were detected at 0 hour,24 hours and 48 hours respectively by method of RT-PCR. Results Compared with the blank group,above three indexes of the model group and all medicine groups increased obviously after they were induced for 24 or 48 hours(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,PPARγ mRNA of the polydatin and extractive of hawthorn group and the rosiglitazone group all increased obviously,ABCA1 mRNA of the polydatin group,the polydatin and extractive of hawthorn group and the rosiglitazone group all increased obviously(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and CD36 mRNA of all medicine groups had no obvious difference after they were treated for 24 hours(P>0.05).Compared with the model group,PPARγ mRNA and ABCA1 mRNA of all medicine groups increased obviously,CD36 mRNA of them decreased obviously after they were treated for 48 hours,moreover,the polydatin and extractive of hawthorn group was superior to the polydatin group,the extractive of hawthorn group and the lovastatin group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions The compatibility of giant knotweed rhizome and hawthorn may have similar agitating effect on PPARγ with rosiglitazone.It can inhibit macrophages foaming and prevent formation of atherosclerosis through up-regulating PPARγ mRNA and ABCA1 mRNA,and down-regulating CD36 mRNA of apolipoprotein E knock out mice.