To study the poisonous effects of ephedrine on kidney,48 filial mice (Mus musculus) were intraperitoneally injected with escalation doses ( 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 g/L ) of ephedrine or the same amount of saline.The samples were collected at 5,10 and 15 d respectively, and the body weight and kidney weight were measured,the activities of SOD and CAT as well as the content of MDA were detected by colorimetry.In addition,the changes of renal lesions were observed by optical microscopy. Results showed that the body weight of filial mice of the experimental group was lower than that of control group 5,10 and 15 d after ephedrine injection,while the kidney weight was higher than that of control group. Glomerular swelling and renal capsule narrowing were observed after injection of ephedrine. The epithelial cells of renal tubule and collecting tubule showed swelling,degeneration and necrosis. The activities of SOD and CAT were significantly higher 5 d after injection,while significantly lower 10 d and 15 d after injection when compared to the control. MDA content decreased in early stage and then increased. Thus,ephedrine significantly affects the body and kidney weight,and damages the kidney in filial mice,and the latter might be correlated with the decreased activity of SOD and CAT and the increased content of MDA.