The invention relates to a new application of ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate in pharmacy and belongs to the field of medicine. Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate has preventive and therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy, can inhibit the proliferation of glomerular mesangial cells and apoptosis of endothelial cells induced by AGEs, reduce the level of oxidative stress of endothelial cells induced by AGEs, and improve STZ‑CFA The urine protein, urine creatinine, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance rate, blood sugar and blood pressure of diabetic nephropathy model rats caused by diabetes were abnormal. Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate can be prepared into a pharmaceutical composition with a drug carrier, and then prepared into various oral dosage forms, such as granules, tablets, capsules, pills, etc., which are easy to use, safe and reliable.