Abstract: Objective: To study whether curcumin has the protective effect on atherosclerosis via modulation inflammation and endothelial function. Methods: Human umbilical veins endodermis cells(HUVEC) were cultured in vitro. The effects of curcumin on the changes of vascular endothelial cell morphology and the expressions of inflammation factors including inter-cellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8(IL-8) were studied on the early phase model of atherosclerosis induced by oxidative low-density lipoprotein(OX-LDL) . Results: Compared with control group,OX-LDL inhibited the proliferation of HUVEC and induced the expressions of ICAM-1, IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVEC,which were higher than in control group(P ＜ 0. 01) . Compared with ox-LDL group,curcumin reduced the apoptosis of HUVEC, the expressions of ICAM-1, IL-6 and IL-8 were decreased,which were statistical different(P ＜ 0. 01) . Conclusions: Curcumin can improve atherosclerosis and protect vascular endothelial cells by inhibition of the expressions of inflammatory factors.