Objective To investigate edaravane in prevention of restenosis in rat common catery arteries balloon angioplasty and the possible mechanism of this process. Methods Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: treatment group (whose intima was injured by balloon and was given edaravone 3 mg/kg by peritoneal injection, bid) and control group (whose intima was injured by ballon and was given the same volume NS as edaravone). 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after angioplasty, rats were killed and the local arteries were sectioned for analysis of pathological morphology and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results Small amounts of smooth muscle cell appeared at the intima of blood vessel 3 days after the artery injured by balloon. Consecutive intima was formed 7 days after artery injury. The intima was even or uneven thickened and the lumen of artery was significant stenosed 14 and 28 days afterwards. In the control group, the intimal area reached (0.240±0.043) mm2, the intima hyperplasy index were 0.52±0.06, stenosis ratio were 30%±9% 14 days afterwards. The intimal area were (0.420±0.063 )mm2, the intima hyperplasy index were 0.67± 0.07, stenosis ratio were 54%±9% on day 28. In the treatment group, the intimal area were (0.063± 0.025)mm2, the intima hyperplasy index were 0.24±0.07, stenosis ratio were 8%±3% after 14 days. The intimal area were (0.116±0.023) mm2, the intima hyperplasy index were 0.38±0.05, stenosis ratio were 16%±4% after 28 days. Compared with control group at the same time, the intimal area (F values were 50.488 and 81.119 respectively, P < 0.05 ), the intima hyperplasy index ( F values were 41.743 and 48.122 respectively, P<0.05) and stenosis ratio (F values were 24.221 and 81.119 respectively, P< 0.05) were decreased in treatment group. The expressions of MMP-2 raised after balloon injury. In control group, the expressions of MMP-2 were 27.16%±7.15% after 3 days, 22.59%±6.68% after 7 days, 18.85%±4.91% after 14 days. In the treatment group, it decreased to 15.57%±3.62% after 3 days, 12.91%±1.88% after 7 days. Compared with control group, the expressions of MMP-2 in treatment group were lower after 3 days and 7 days ( F = 8.359, P = 0.028 and F = 7.781, P = 0.032 ). Conclusions Edaravone can prevent restenosis in rat common catery after balloon angioplasty. The possible mechanism is that edaravone can inhibit the expressions of MMP-2 in this process.