Abstract: Objective To study the beneficial effect and mechanism of Alcea rosea roots in ethylene glycol induced nephrolithiasis in rats. Methods We randomly divided 60 male Wistar rats into six groups, control group, model group, Alcea rosea roots lower-dose preventive group, Alcea rosea roots high-dose preventive group, Alcea rosea roots lower-dose curative group, Alcea rosea roots high-dose curative group. Control group was provided free access to food and normal drinking water, model group received ethylene glycol drinking water and was fed with normal chow, preventive group as model group received Alcea rosea roots in low and high dose, curative group as model group received Alcea rosea roots in low and high dose from day 15 to day 28. At the end of the experiment, various renal functional and injury markers such as urine volume, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, urea, creatinine, and oxalate were evaluated using urine, serum, and kidney homogenate. The kidneys were removed and prepared for histological evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits. Results The model groups increased the urine output, urea, creatinine, 24h urine Ca2+, and oxalate and MDA compared to the control group（P<0.05）. The preventive and curative groups increased the GSH and SOD compared to the model group（P<0.05）. The preventive and curative groups reduced the urea, creatinine, 24h urine Ca2+, urine oxalate, MDA compared to the model group（P<0.05）. It was also reduced the number and size of calcium oxalate crystal deposits and protected the kidneys from serious damage compared to the model group. Conclusion The extract of Alcea rosea roots can prevention and treatment calcium oxalate urinary stone formation in rats and protect renal function.

Key words: Alcea rosea roots, calcium oxalate, urinary stone