The effect of Tochu (Eucommia uimoides, Tu-Chung in Chinese) leaf powder on lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol metabolism, was investigated. As an animal model, stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) fed a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet (HFC diet) were used to induce hypercholesterolemia. The experimental group was given the HFC diet containing 5% Tochu leaf powder by weight for 2 weeks with free access to the diet and water. The administration of Tochu leaf powder markedly prevented the elevation of serum total cholesterol. The hypocholesterolemic effect was due mainly to a marked decrease in the content of cholesterol in the very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction, which was associated with decreases in the levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB) and apoE. These results suggest a decrease in atherogenic and cholesterol-rich VLDL produced by HFC diet feeding. In the liver, elevation of cholesterol content was also markedly prevented by administration of the Tochu leaf powder, whereas no significant change in the contents of phospholipid and triglyceride was observed. In addition, there was no significant change in the activities of microsomal cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase and acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT).