Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants clinically diagnosed with atherosclerosis (AS) by a specialist physician * Age between 40 and 80 years * Presence of at least one identifiable carotid plaque meeting all of the following criteria: (a) a focal structure protruding into the lumen; (b) on gray-scale ultrasound longitudinal/transverse sections, protrusion beyond the vascular intimal surface with a maximum thickness ≥ 1.5 mm compared with the adjacent normal vessel wall (1-2 cm proximal or distal to the plaque); (c) a local structure protruding into the lumen with a thickness ≥ 0.5 mm or \> 50% of the surrounding intima-media thickness (IMT), accompanied by abnormal lipid metabolism markers * Diagnosis of carotid plaque and regular follow-up with the same physician at the study site * Willingness to refrain from participating in other clinical studies and to complete the full treatment regimen during the study period * Voluntarily sign the informed consent form after being fully informed Exclusion Criteria: * History of allergy to Rosa roxburghii juice or vitamin C preparations * Hyperlipidemia without detectable carotid plaques * Severe malnutrition * Concomitant liver or kidney disease * Pregnancy or lactation * Psychiatric disorders or inability to cooperate with the study procedures * Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or hypertension * Use of antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, laxatives, or traditional Chinese medicine within 3 months prior to enrollment * Any condition that, in the investigator's opinion, makes the participant unsuitable for enrollment