How to diagnose GERC more effectively: reflections on post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index and mean nocturnal baseline impedance.

INTRODUCTION: Post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index (PSPWI) and mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI) are novel parameters reflect esophageal clearance capacity and mucosal integrity. They hold potential in aiding the recognition of gastroesophageal reflux-induced chronic cough (GERC). Our study aims to investigate their diagnostic value in GERC. METHODS: This study included patients suspected GERC. General information and relevant laboratory examinations were collected, and final diagnosis were determined following guidelines for chronic cough. The parameters of multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) in patients were analyzed and compared to explore their diagnostic value in GERC. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients were enrolled in this study. The diagnostic value of PSPWI for GERC was significant, with the area under the working curve (AUC) of 0.757 and a cutoff value of 39.4%, which was not statistically different from that of acid exposure time (AET) (p > 0.05). The combined diagnostic value of AET > 4.4% and PSPWI < 39.4% was superior to using AET > 4.4% alone (p < 0.05). Additionally, MNBI and distal MNBI also contributed to the diagnosis of GERC, with AUC values of 0.639 and 0.624, respectively. AET > 4.4% or PSPWI < 39.4% is associated with a 44% reduction in missed diagnoses of non-acid GERC compared to AET > 6.0% or symptom association probability (SAP) ≥ 95%, and may be more favorable for identifying GERC. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic value of PSPWI for GERC is comparable to that of AET. Combining PSPWI < 39.4% or AET > 4.4% can improve the diagnostic efficiency by reducing the risk of missed diagnoses in cases where non-acid reflux is predominant. Distal MNBI and MNBI can serve as secondary reference indices in the diagnosis of GERC.

Combined pesticides in field doses weaken honey bee (Apis cerana F.) flight ability and analyses of transcriptomics and metabolomics.

Imidacloprid, chlorpyrifos, and glyphosate rank among the most extensively employed pesticides worldwide. The effects of these pesticides and their combined on the flight capability of Apis cerana, and the potential underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. To investigate these effects, we carried out flight mill, transcriptome, and metabolome experiments. Our findings reveal that individual acute oral treatments with pesticides, specifically 20 µL of 10 ng/g imidacloprid (0.2 ng per bee), 30 ng/g chlorpyrifos (0.6 ng per bee), and 60 ng/g glyphosate (1.2 ng per bee), did not impact the flight capability of the bees. However, when bees were exposed to a combination of two or three pesticides, a notable reduction in flight duration and distance was observed. In the transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, we identified 307 transcripts and 17 metabolites that exhibited differential expression following exposure to combined pesticides, primarily associated with metabolic pathways involved in energy regulation. Our results illuminate the intricate effects and potential hazards posed by combined pesticide exposures on bee behavior. These findings offer valuable insights into the synergistic potential of pesticide combinations and their capacity to impair bee behavior. Understanding these complex interactions is essential for comprehending the broader consequences of pesticide formulations on honey bee populations.

[Optimization of polysaccharide extraction from Hippocampus by deep neural network and Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology].

In this paper, the extraction rate of crude polysaccharides and the yield of polysaccharides from Hippocampus served as test indicators. The comprehensive evaluation indicators were assigned by the R language combined with the entropy weight method. The Box-Behnken design-response surface methodology(BBD-RSM) and the deep neural network(DNN) were employed to screen the optimal parameters for the polysaccharide extraction from Hippocampus. These two modeling methods were compared and verified experimentally for the process optimization. This study provides a reference for the industrialization of effective component extraction from Chinese medicinals and achieves the effective combination of modern technology and traditional Chinese medicine.

Multi-omics analysis identifies EcCS4 is negatively regulated in response to phytotoxin isovaleric acid stress in Echinochloa crus-galli.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of herbicidal targets is critical for weed management and food safety. The phytotoxin isovaleric acid (ISA) is effective against weeds with a broad spectrum, carries low environmental risks, and is thus an excellent herbicide lead. However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the action of ISA remain unclear. RESULTS: Multi-omics data showed that acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) was the key affected metabolite, and that citrate synthase (CS) 4 was substantially down-regulated under ISA treatment in Echinochloa crus-galli leaves. In particular, the transcript level of EcCS4 was the most significantly regulated among the six genes involved in the top 10 different pathways. The EcCS4 encodes a protein of 472 amino acids and is localized to the cell membrane and mitochondria, similar to the CS4s of other plants. The protein content of EcCS4 was down-regulated after ISA treatment at 0.5 h. ISA markedly inhibited the CS4 activity in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 = 41.35 µM). In addition, the transgenic rice plants overexpressing EcCS4 (IC50 = 111.8 mM for OECS4-8 line) were more sensitive, whereas loss-of-function rice mutant lines (IC50 = 746.5 mM for oscs4-19) were more resistant to ISA, compared to wild type (WT) plants (IC50 = 355.6 mM). CONCLUSION: CS4 was first reported as a negative regulator of plant responses to ISA. These results highlight that CS4 is a candidate target gene for the development of novel herbicides and for breeding herbicide-resistant crops. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index: a new parameter for the identification of non-acid gastroesophageal reflux-related chronic cough.

BACKGROUND: The current available diagnostic criteria for gastroesophageal reflux-related chronic cough (GERC) dominated by non-acid reflux is imperfect. The post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave index (PSPWI) is a parameter reflecting esophageal clearance function. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate its diagnostic value for non-acid GERC. DESIGN: This study sought to compare the diagnostic value of PSPWI in different types of GERC, particularly non-acid GERC, and explore the clinical significance of PSPWI in the diagnosis of non-acid GERC through diagnostic experiments. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed based on 223 patients with suspected GERC who underwent multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring (MII-pH) in the outpatient clinic of our department from August 2016 to June 2021. Their clinical information, laboratory test results, and treatment responses were assessed and the underlying etiologies of chronic cough were categorized. The predictive value of the PSPWI in diagnosing different types of GERC, especially non-acid GERC, was analyzed and compared. RESULTS: A total of 195 patients with chronic cough who met the inclusion criteria underwent MII-pH monitoring. 143 patients had a definitive diagnosis of GERC, including 98 with acid GERC and 45 with non-acid GERC. The diagnostic value of PSPWI alone was moderate for GERC with an area under the working curve (AUC) 0.760, but poor for non-acid GERC with an AUC of 0.569. However, PSPWI < 39.8% combining with acid exposure time (AET) ⩽ 6.2% demonstrated a moderate diagnostic value for non-acid GERC, with an AUC of 0.722. When PSPWI < 39.8% combined with a non-acid reflux ratio >68.75%, the diagnostic value for non-acid GERC was improved (AUCROC = 0.80 versus AUCROC = 0.722, p < 0.05), which was significantly superior to non-acid symptom index (AUCROC = 0.804 versus AUCROC = 0.550, p < 0.05) and non-acid symptom association probability (AUCROC = 0.804 versus AUCROC = 0.571, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PSPWI < 39.8% and AET ⩽ 6.2% have demonstrated good diagnostic value for non-acid GERC. The diagnostic value was further improved when combined with non-acid reflux ratio >68.75%.

Elucidating the hepatoprotective mechanisms of cholic acid against CCl4-Induced acute liver injury: A transcriptomic and metabolomic study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cholic acid (CA) is one of the main active ingredients in Calculus Bovis, a traditional Chinese medicine, which helps to regulate the heart and liver meridians, clearing the heart, opening the mouth, cooling the liver and calming the wind. However, the molecular mechanism of its liver protective effect is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: Growing attention has been directed towards traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly Calculus Bovis, as a potential solution for liver protection. Despite this interest, a comprehensive understanding of its hepatoprotective mechanisms remains lacking. This research seeks to explore the potential protective properties of cholic acid (CA) against CCl4-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice, while also examining the mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experiment, a mouse model was employed to ALI using CCl4, and the potential therapeutic effects of orally administered CA at varying doses (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) were assessed. The study employed a multi-faceted approach, integrating liver transcriptomics with serum metabolomics, and conducting thorough analyses of serum biochemical markers and liver histopathological sections. RESULTS: Oral CA administration markedly reduced the organ indices of the liver, spleen, and thymus in comparison with the model group. It also elevated the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum while diminishing the concentrations of ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, CA ameliorated the pathological damage induced by CCl4. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses indicated that the hepatoprotective action of CA on ALI is mediated through the modulation of lipid metabolic pathways-specifically, metabolisms of glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, as well as linoleic acid-and by altering the expression of genes such as Ptgr1, PLpp1, Tbxas1, and Cyp2c37. CONCLUSIONS: The current investigation offers insights into the hepatoprotective mechanisms by which CA mitigates ALI caused by CCl4 exposure, thus supporting the further evaluation and development of CA-based therapeutics for ALI.

Inhibitory activities of essential oils from Syzygium aromaticum inhibition of Echinochloa crus-galli.

Echinochloa crus-galli is a serious weed species in rice paddies. To obtain a new potential bioherbicide, we evaluated the inhibitory activities of 13 essential oils and their active substances against E. crus-galli. Essential oil from Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L. M. Perry (SAEO) exhibited the highest herbicidal activity (EC50 = 3.87 mg mL-1) among the 13 essential oils evaluated. The SAEO was isolated at six different temperatures by vacuum fractional distillation, including 164°C, 165°C (SAEO-165), 169°C, 170°C 175°C and 180°C. The SAEO-165 had the highest inhibitory rate against E. crus-galli. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high phase liquid chromatography identified eugenol (EC50 = 4.07 mg mL-1), α-caryophyllene (EC50 = 17.34 mg mL-1) and ß-caryophyllene (EC50 = 96.66 mg mL-1) as the three compounds in SAEO. Results from a safety bioassay showed that the tolerance of rice seedling (~ 20% inhibition) was higher than that of E. crus-galli (~ 70% inhibition) under SAEO stress. SAEO induced excessive generation of reactive oxygen species leading to oxidative stress and ultimately tissue damage in E. crus-galli. Our results indicate that SAEO has a potential for development into a new selective bio-herbicide. They also provide an example of a sustainable management strategy for E. crus-galli in rice paddies.

Effects of saponins from Chinese herbal medicines on signal transduction pathways in cancer: A review.

Cancer poses a serious threat to human health, and the search for safe and effective drugs for its treatment has aroused interest and become a long-term goal. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCM), an ancient science with unique anti-cancer advantages, has achieved outstanding results in long-term clinical practice. Accumulating evidence shows that saponins are key bioactive components in TCM and have great research and development applications for their significant role in the treatment of cancer. Saponins are a class of glycosides comprising nonpolar triterpenes or sterols attached to hydrophilic oligosaccharide groups that exert antitumor effects by targeting the NF-κB, PI3Ks-Akt-mTOR, MAPK, Wnt-ß-catenin, JAK-STAT3, APMK, p53, and EGFR signaling pathways. Presently, few advances have been made in physiological and pathological studies on the effect of saponins on signal transduction pathways involved in cancer treatment. This paper reviews the phytochemistry and extraction methods of saponins of TCM and their effects on signal transduction pathways in cancer. It aims to provide theoretical support for in-depth studies on the anticancer effects of saponins.

A comparative study on the value of lower airway exhaled nitric oxide combined with small airway parameters for diagnosing cough-variant asthma.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of cough-variant asthma (CVA) is based on bronchial provocation test, which is challenging to be conducted. Most CVA patients have type 2 airway inflammation and small airway dysfunction. FeNO200, reflecting small airway inflammation, may be used to diagnose CVA. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore and compare the value of lower airway exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO50, FeNO200, and CaNO) combined with small airway parameters for diagnosing CVA. METHODS: Chronic cough patients who attended the clinic from September 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled and divided into CVA group (n = 71) and non-CVA (NCVA) group (n = 212). The diagnostic values of FeNO50, FeNO200, concentration of alveolar nitric oxide (CaNO), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF75%) and forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (FEF50%) for CVA were evaluated. RESULTS: FeNO50 [39(39) ppb versus 17(12) parts per billion (ppb), p < 0.01], FeNO200 [17(14) ppb versus 8(5) ppb, p < 0.01] and CaNO [5.0(6.1) ppb versus 3.5(3.6) ppb, p < 0.01] in CVA group were significantly higher than those in NCVA group. The optimal cut-off values of FeNO50, FeNO200, and CaNO for diagnosis of CVA were 27.00 ppb [area under the curve (AUC) 0.88, sensitivity 78.87%, specificity 79.25%], 11.00 ppb (AUC 0.92, sensitivity 88.73%, specificity 81.60%) and 3.60 ppb (AUC 0.66, sensitivity 73.24%, specificity 52.36%), respectively. For diagnosing CVA, the value of FeNO200 was better than FeNO50 (p = 0.04). The optimal cut-off values of MMEF, FEF75%, and FEF50% for the diagnosis of CVA were 63.80% (AUC 0.75, sensitivity 53.52%, specificity 86.32%), 77.9% (AUC 0.74, sensitivity 57.75%, specificity 83.49%) and 73.50% (AUC 0.75, sensitivity 60.56%, specificity 80.19%), respectively. The AUCs of FeNO50 combined with MMEF, FEF75%, and FEF50% for the diagnosis of CVA were all 0.89. The AUCs of FeNO200 combined with MMEF, FEF75%, and FEF50% for the diagnosis of CVA were all 0.93. CONCLUSION: FeNO200 > 11 ppb contributed strongly for differentiating CVA from chronic cough, especially in patients with small airway dysfunction.

Phytochemical profiling and allelopathic effect of garlic essential oil on barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.).

In agriculture, barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) is one of the most harmful weeds in rice fields now. In order to identify active ingredients which had inhibiting effect on barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.), we evaluated several possible natural plant essential oils. Essential oils from twelve plant species showed inhibitory activity against barnyard grass seedlings and root length. The garlic essential oil (GEO) had the most significant allelopathic effect (EC50 = 0.0126 g mL-1). Additionally, the enzyme activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) increased during the first 8 hours of treatment at a concentration of 0.1 g mL-1 and then declined. The activities of CAT, SOD and POD increased by 121%, 137% and 110% (0-8h, compared to control), and decreased (8-72h, compared to the maximum value) by 100%, 185% and 183%, respectively. The total chlorophyll content of barnyard grass seedlings decreased by 51% (0-72h) continuously with the same dosage treatment. Twenty constituents of GEO were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the herbicidal activity of two main components (diallyl sulfide and diallyl disulfide) was evaluated. Results showed that both components had herbicidal activity against barnyard grass. GEO had a strong inhibitory effect (~88.34% inhibition) on barnyard grass growth, but safety studies on rice showed it did not have much inhibitory effect on rice seed germination. Allelopathy of GEO provide ideas for the development of new plant-derived herbicides.

A first-in-class dimethyl 2-acetamido terephthalate inhibitor targeting Conyza canadensis SHMT1 with a novel herbicidal mode-of-action.

INTRODUCTION: Herbicide application is a highly efficiency method of weed control that boots agricultural output and assures food security. The development of novel herbicides focuses on improved bioactivity and new modes of action. The amino acid biosynthesis was validated as a promising novel mode of action for herbicidal compounds. However, the amino acid biosynthesis enzyme remains largely unexplored for herbicidal targets. OBJECTIVES: Serine hydroxymethyl transferase (SHMT) is an essentialenzyme in the photorespiratory cycle. The study aims to explore Conyza canadensis SHMT1 (CcSHMT1) as a promising target for herbicide discovery. METHODS: Structure determination of CcSHMT1 was resolved by X-ray crystallography. Virtual screening docking experiments were performed with Glide version 5.5. Novel derivatives of dimethyl 2-acetamido terephthalate were further designed, synthesized, and bioassay. The druggability of the inhibitor was evidenced by ultrastructural changes in mitochondria, in vivo and vitro enzyme activity assays, and genetics analysis. RESULTS: CcSHMT1 has a typical PLP-dependent enzyme 3D structure. The dimethyl 2-acetamido terephthalate-containing compounds had herbicidal activity. Dimethyl 2-(2-(4-(2-(4-bromo-2-chlorophenoxy) acetyl)piperazin-1-yl)acetamido) terephthalate (Compound 9ay, EC50 = 193.8 g a.i./ ha) exhibited the highest herbicidal activity on tested weed among the synthesized compounds. Compound 9ay had no obvious adverse effect on the growth of maize and honeybees. Compound 9ay was verified to target CcSHMT1 as an herbicide candidate. CONCLUSION: A first-in-class CcSHMT1 inhibitor that could be developed as a potent herbicide with a new mode of action and provide an avenue for discovering novel inhibitors of pyridoxal-5-phosphate-dependent enzymes.

Serum, spleen metabolomics and gut microbiota reveals effect of catalpol on blood deficiency syndrome caused by cyclophosphamide and acetylphenylhydrazine.

Catalpol (CA), extracted from Rehmannia Radix, holds extensive promise as a natural medicinal compound. This study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and combined serum and spleen metabolomics to profoundly investigate the therapeutic effects of CA on blood deficiency syndrome (BDS) and the underlying mechanisms. Notably, CA exhibited effectiveness against BDS induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) and acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) in rats-CA substantially elevated levels of crucial indicators such as erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, CA could alleviate peripheral blood cytopenia. Furthermore, the analysis of 16S rRNA revealed that CA had the potential to reverse the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio associated with BDS. Through comprehensive serum and spleen metabolomic profiling, we successfully identified 22 significant biomarkers in the serum and 23 in the spleen, respectively. Enrichment analysis underscored Glycerophospholipid metabolism and Sphingolipid metabolism as potential pathways through which CA exerts its therapeutic effects on BDS.

Recent Progress in the Preparation Technologies for Micro Metal Coils.

The recent development of micro-fabrication technologies has provided new methods for researchers to design and fabricate micro metal coils, which will allow the coils to be smaller, lighter, and have higher performance than traditional coils. As functional components of electromagnetic equipment, micro metal coils are widely used in micro-transformers, solenoid valves, relays, electromagnetic energy collection systems, and flexible wearable devices. Due to the high integration of components and the requirements of miniaturization, the preparation of micro metal coils has received increasing levels of attention. This paper discusses the typical structural types of micro metal coils, which are mainly divided into planar coils and three-dimensional coils, and the characteristics of the different structures of coils. The specific preparation materials are also summarized, which provides a reference for the preparation process of micro metal coils, including the macro-fabrication method, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) processing technology, the printing process, and other manufacturing technologies. Finally, perspectives on the remaining challenges and open opportunities are provided to help with future research, the development of the Internet of Things (IoTs), and engineering applications.

Gender Difference in Chronic Cough: Are Women More Likely to Cough?

Chronic cough is a common complaint for patients to seek medical cares all over the world. Worldwide, about two thirds of chronic cough patients are females. However, in some regions of China the prevalence of chronic cough between sexes is roughly the same. Estrogen and progesterone can not only have an effect on transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 channel, eosinophils and mast cells, but also influence laryngeal dysfunction, gastroesophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, which may lead to increased cough sensitivity in women. On the other hand, the quality of life was adversely affected more in female patients with chronic cough. Both hormones possibly cause gender difference in chronic cough.

Effects of novel bioorganic fertilizer application on soil enzymes and bacterial community in multi-site rice paddies in China.

Application of a novel bioorganic fertilizer (BIO) has been effectively used to inhibit weeds in rice paddies. To identify changes in soil bacterial community and enzymes in response to BIO treatments, field experiments were carried out in five major rice-growing areas in China. The dominant phylogenetic groups recorded included Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes and Acidobacteria. Anaeromyxobacter, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, Escherichia- Shigella, Geobacter and Haliangium were significantly different between BIO-treatment and untreated control and aided in general function (R), amino acid transport, metabolism (E) and transcription (K) clusters. The soil chemical properties and enzyme activities were less affected by BIO at these study sites. RDA analysis showed that soil bacterial community had a significant positive correlations among northern latitude, eastern longitude, exchangeable K, total K, total P, soil pH, and total N, except for organic matter, hydrolytic N and extractable P. Overall, our work showed that application of BIO does not alter the main community structure and functional diversity of soil bacteria in rice paddies and should be encouraged for use as a sustainable weed management strategy.

Synthesis Candidates Herbicide Through Optimization Quinclorac Containing 3-Methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl.

To enhance quinclorac potency, twenty-five derivatives were synthesized containing 3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl by intermediate derivatization methods (IDMs). These compounds were confirmed by melting point (mp), 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HRMS. The compound 1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl 3,7-dichloroquinoline-8-carboxylate (10a) was determined by X-ray diffraction. The activity of these compounds substituent on the phenyl was: electron-drawing group > neutral group > donor-drawing group, the results was like that of substituted benzyl group on pyrazole. The herbicidal activity assays showed that compounds 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl 3,7-dichloroquinoline-8-carboxylate (8l, EC50 = 10.53 g/ha) and 10a (EC50 = 10.37 g/ha) had an excellent inhibition effect on barnyard grass in greenhouse experiment. Greenhouse safety experiment of rice exhibited almost no difference in plant height and fresh weight treated 10a at stage 1∼2-leaf of rice after 14 days but 8l had a detrimental effect. Two season field assays showed 10a herbicidal activity on barnyard grass at 150 g/ha as equal as 300 g/ha quinclorac in fields in 2019 and 2020. The study demonstrated that 10a could be further researched as a potential herbicide to control barnyard grass in fields.

Effect of Hordei Fructus Germinatus on differential gene expression in the prolactin signaling pathway in the mammary gland of lactating rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In China, Hordei Fructus Germinatus (HFG) is the germinated and dried fruit of Hordeum vulgare L, which is commonly used in clinical Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory holds that HFG can be both medicinal and edible, which means that it is derived from food medicine. Raw HFG and roasted HFG are used to treat hypogalactia, hyperprolactinemia and indigestion. In recent years, the lactogenic and galactophygous effects of HFG have attracted increasing attention. Nevertheless, there is much confusion over the use of raw and processed HFG, and the mechanism of its lactogenic effect seems remains poorly understood. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to explore the lactogenic effect of raw HFG and roasted HFG on rats with overloaded lactation and to reveal the underlying molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Raw and processed HFG water decoctions were given to overloaded lactation model rats at a dose of 1.7800 g kg-1·d-1, and the control group was given the same volume of water. The lactogenic effect of raw and processed HFG was evaluated by measuring daily lactation, body weight and pup body weight, serum PRL, E2, and GH contents after parturition, and the pathological characteristics of mammary tissue sections. cDNA microarrays can be used to screen diverse gene expression patterns and signaling pathways related to prolactin. The expression of relevant differentially expressed genes was verified by real-time PCR and western blotting. RESULTS: In vivo experiments demonstrated that the raw HFG water decoction stimulated mammogenesis, accelerated the transformation of the lobular acinar system, resulted in denser mammary epithelial cells and thicker glandular ducts that were full of milk and facilitated the secretion of milk. Moreover, HFG increased PRL, E2, and GH levels, pup body weight, daily lactation and the body weight of lactating rats. Following gene chip identification, KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed genes that were highly related to prolactin in the prolactin signaling pathway and JAK-STAT signaling pathway, and the main differentially expressed genes were Jak2 (down), Stat5α (up), cyclin D1 (up), SOCS1 (up), CISH (down) and PRLR (up). Compared with the control group, RT-PCR results indicated that Jak2 and CISH were downregulated and that Stat5α, cyclin D1, SOCS1 and PRLR were upregulated. Western blot assays showed that PRLR, STAT5α and cyclin D1 levels in the mammary glands of the raw HFG water decoction group were significantly increased, which was consistent with the results of cDNA microarray screening. CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that raw HFG effectively enhances lactation in rats, possibly by influencing the prolactin/JAK-STAT signaling pathway.