Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of Moschus on the proliferation and osteogenesis and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells（ BMSCs）. Methods A total of60 SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group and Moschus high

medium

low dose groups

with 15 groups in each group. The Moschus high

medium

low dose groups were respectively given 16. 8

8. 4

4. 2 μl/100 g Moschus once a day

for 8 consecutive days to prepare different concentrations of Moschus-containing serum and blank serum. BMSCs were isolated from other 15 SD rats by whole bone marrow adherence screening method

and cultured to the third generation. BMSCs were identified by cell morphology observation

cell phenotype identification

osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation methods. BMSCs were treated with different concentrations of Moschus-containing serum and blank serum. The cell proliferation rate

alkaline phosphatase（ ALP） activity

type I collagen immunofluorescence staining

calcification nodules and adipocyte conversion rate were measured at different time points.Results Compared with the blank serum group at the same time

the cell proliferation rate of the murine low-dose serum group was increased on the 2 nd

3 rd

4 th

5 th

and 7 th day

and it was also increased in the medium group on the 1 st and 5 th day. The ALP activity of the Moschus low-dose serum group was increased on the 2 nd

4 th

6 th and8 th days

and that of the Moschus high-dose serum group was increase as well on the 2 nd and 8 th days

and it was increased on the 4 th and 8 th days in the Moschus medium-dose serum group. Except the number of calcified nodules in the high-dose serum group

the number of calcified nodules and adipocyte conversion rate in each group also were increased（ P < 0. 05 or P < 0. 01）. Compared with the Moschus low-dose serum group

the cell proliferation rate of the Moschus high-dose serum group on the 1 st

3 rd

5 th

and 7 th days

and of the Moschus medium dose serum group on the 1 st and 5 th days was decreased

and the ALP activity on the 6 th and 8 th days was decreased. The number of calcified nodules and the conversion rate of adipocytes were also decreased（ P < 0. 05）. The positive expression of type I collagen cells in the high

medium and low doses of Moschus increased in turn

and the positive expression of blank serum group cells was weak or almost absent. Conclusion Moschus can promote the proliferation of BMSCs and induce their differentiation

the best effect occured at the concentration of 4. 2 μL/100 g.