Objective     To study the protective effect of dampness-releasing liquid on gastric mucosa and expression of epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) in rats with dampness retention syndrome (DRS).       Methods     Forty SD rats were randomly divided into control group

model group

and low

medium and high dampness-releasing liquid dose groups (8 in each group). Rats in control group were fed with routine rat chow. A DRS model was induced by modifying the environment and increasing fatigue in the other groups for 6 d. Then

rats in control and model groups received intra-gastric normal saline (NS)

while those in low

medium and high dampness-releasing liquid dose groups received dampness-releasing liquid at the dose of 4 g/kg，8 g/kg and 16 g/kg respectively

once a day for 8 d. Serum melatonin (MT)

glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by colorimetry and expression of EGFR was detected by immunohistochemistry in different groups.      Results     The symptoms of spleen insufficiency

hyperemia and edema in gastric mucosa with hemorrhagic spots and clots were more significant in model group than in control group (P0.05).  The serum levels of MT and GSH-Px were lower and that of MDA was higher in model group than in control group after treatment with dampness-releasing liquid (9.68±1.48

368.10±52.92

19.43±3.49

P0.05）. Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression level of EGFR in gastric mucosa was lower and the OD value was significantly higher

while the serum levels of MT and GSH-Px were higher and that of MDA was lower in model group than in control group after treatment with dampness-releasing liquid （166.013±7.757

0.025±0.193

P0.05）.      Conclusion     Dampness-releasing liquid can significantly improve the symptoms of spleen insufficiency and protect gastric mucosa against injury by increasing the anti-oxidative capacity and expression of EGFR in gastric mucosa.