Objective: To study the effects of Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid on the anti-oxidation and expression of the epithelial growth factor receptor(EGFR)in gastric mucosa of rats with dampness retention syndrome(DRS). Method: Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group

DRS group and treatment group (DRS + Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid)

8 rats in each group.DRS was induced in all rats

except the control group

by modified enviromental and fatigued method for 6 days.After DRS model was formed

control and DRS group were lavaged with normal saline(NS

20 mL·kg-1). Rats in treatment groups were lavaged with Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid(20 mL·kg-1) for 8 days.Then the content of melatonin(MT)

glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde(MDA) in serum were determined by colorimetric method and the expression of EGFR on gastric mucosa was determined by immunohistochemistry. Result: Rats of model groups exhibited typical DRS

with sign of hyperaemia

edema

hemorrhagic spots and sludged blood in the gastric mucosa compared to control. The content of MT

GSH-Px in serum decreased(P<0.05)

while the content of MDA in serum increased(P<0.05)

and the expression of EGFR in gastric musoca significantly decreased in DRS group compared to that of control group(P<0.05).Conversely

exposure of DRS rats to Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid resulted in increase in the content of MT and GSH-Px in serum(P<0.05 versus DRS group) and the expression in EGFR in the gastric mucosa(P<0.05

versus DRS group)

and decrease the content of MDA in serum(P<0.05 versus DRS group). Conclusion: Huoxiang Zhengqi liquid could have the protective effect on DRS-induced gastric mucosal injury

increasing anti-oxidation and expression of EGFR may play an important role.