OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant effect of total flavonoid extract from MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, model (hyperlipidemic diet) group, hyperlipedemic diet supplemented with TFAK (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) and simvastatin (30 mg/kg) groups. The rats were administrated TFAK by oral for 28 days. Body weight, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase(CAT), glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. The atherogenic index (AI) and coronary risk index (CRI) were calculated. The activity of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in hepatic tissue was examined. Histopathologic changes were also checked. RESULTS: The levels of TC, TG and LDL-c were increased in model group. Compared to the model group, TFAK reduced significantly the body weight, TC, TG, LDL-c, AI, CRI and elevated the level of HDL-c. Moreover, the activity of SOD was elevated significantly, whereas the content of MDA decreased. The activity of HMG-CoA reductase was also decreased. Morphological evaluation found that rats in model group developed a severe steatosis, but the severity of liver steatosis was ameliorated in TFAK treated groups. The possible mechanism may be associated with decrease HMG-CoA reductase activity. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that TFAK exerts strong antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects, prevents hepatic fatty deposition and regulates the HMG-CoA reductase.