Aim To explore the effects and mechanisms involved of Danhong injection on lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages induced by oxidized low density lipoprotein （ox-LDL）. Methods The human THP-1 macrophages were induced by phorbol-12-myristate acetate （PMA, 160 nmol/L） for 24 h, then cells were divided into three groups: control group, ox-LDL group （100 mg/L） and Danhong group （100 mg/L ox-LDL + 30 mL/L Danhong injection）. Cellular cholesterol was examined by HPLC. Cholesterol efflux was determined by liquid scintillation counting. The protein and mRNA expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A-1 （ABCA1） and liver X receptor α （LXRα） were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR, respectively. Results Danhong injection inhibited the lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophage induced by ox-LDL. Cellular total cholesterol, free cholesterol and cholesterol ester were decreased by application of Danhong injection. Danhong injection increased apolipoprotein AⅠ（ApoAⅠ） mediated cholesterol efflux. In addition, Danhong injection significantly decreased the expression of ABCA1 and LXRα in both protein and mRNA levels.Conclusions Danhong injection inhibits lipid accumulation induced by ox-LDL, and the mechanisms may be related to the activation of LXRα-ABCA1 pathway and the increase of ApoAⅠ mediated cholesterol efflux in THP-1 macrophage.