Atherosclerosis is a progressive inflammatory disease and is considered as main reason of death and morbidity in worldwide. The common drugs which are used for treatment of atherosclerosis reveal side effects, therefore it is necessary to identify the natural sources. This study overviews the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and effective medicinal plants present in Iran. In this study, 19 medical plants have been reported to be scientifically effective against atherosclerosis which are included Punica granatum L., Aloe vera, Amaranthus caudatus L., Artemisia sieberi Besser, Artemisia spp., Rhus coriaria, Nigella sativa L., Trifolium pratense L., Anethum graveolens, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Vaccinium myrtillus L, Gundelia tournefortii L, Hypericum perforatum, Curcuma longa, Crocus sativus L, Malus domestica, Silybum marianum, Berberis integerrima and Portulaca oleracea L. These plants have antioxidant and flavonoid compounds with unknown mechanisms serve to improve atherosclerosis. It seems that medicinal plants native to Iran, which have antioxidant and inhibit the oxidative stress, reduce inflammatory processes and ultimately improve atherosclerosis
