动脉粥样硬化（As）是心脑血管疾病的重要病理基础，其发病机制一直是血管生物学研究领域的热点问题。炎症是As发生、发展过程中的主要因素，而与炎症发生关系最紧切的细胞是单核-巨噬细胞。近几年随着对As炎症机制研究的不断深入，巨噬细胞极化分型引起了研究者们的关注。在不同环境影响下，巨噬细胞可分为M1型和M2型，一般认为M1型（经典活化型）为促炎亚型，分泌促炎因子，因此促进As的进展；而M2型（替代活化型）为抑炎亚型，可以抑制促炎因子的产生，其有可能延缓As发展进程。该文就巨噬细胞的极化分型，以及在As的形成和发展过程中的影响等予以综述，并展望中药在防治As 中的机制。

Atherosclerosis (As) is an important pathological basis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The pathogenesis studies of As have been a hot topic in the field of vascular biology research. The inflammation is known as a major participant in the development process of As. And monocyte-macrophage plays a central role in inflammation. In recent years, with the deepening research on inflammatory mechanisms, the As macrophage polarization is attracting researchers' attention. Under different environmental inductions, macrophages develop into M1 and M2 phenotypes. M1 macrophages (classical type), which can stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, is generally considered as pro-inflammatory subtypes and can facilitate the progress of As. Whereas, M2 macrophages (alternative type), which can inhibit pro-inflammatory factor production, function as anti-inflammatory subtypes and likely to inhibit the progression of As. The mechanisms of As, macrophage polarization in As, and opportunities for herbal medicines will be summarized in this review.

科学技术部重大新药创制项目（2009ZX09301-005-2-4）：中药新药研发综合性大平台——参莲胶囊的研究与开发，负责人：朱晓新；科学技术部科研院所技术开发研究专项（NCSTE-2007-JKZX-301）：治疗动脉粥样硬化新药研究模式及五类新药参莲片研究，负责人：朱晓新。