We investigated the effects of newly synthesized 4-[(butylsulfinyl)methyl]-1,2-benzenediol (SMBD) on the prevention of atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. SMBD exhibited stronger inhibition of $Cu^{2+}$-induced low-density lipoprotein oxidation than that of ascorbic acid or simvastatin. Three-month-old rabbits were fed an atherogenic diet containing 0.5% cholesterol and 10% coconut oil, while other two groups were given an atherogenic diet with intravenous injection of either simvastatin or SMBD (0.33 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. The concentrations of plasma cholesterol and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were significantly decreased in SMBD groups, compared to the control group. Also, aortic lipid level in the SMBD group significantly lower than that in the control group. Furthermore, compared with the control group, the SMBD group significantly inhibited the increase of aortic intimal thickness by 36% via reducing of aortic reactive oxygen species and cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels. We conclude that raised antioxidant effect of SMBD results in significant prevention against hypercholesterolemia.