Objective: To investigate the effect of Buyang Huanwutang serum on proliferation and cycle of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Method: Buyang Huanwutang (6.5

13

26 g·kg-1) and equivalent distilled water were administered (ig) to SD rats for a week

so as to prepare three kinds of Buyang Huanwutang serum and the blank serum. BMSCs cells were divided into Buyang Huanwutang 6.5 g·kg-1 group (cultured with 10% serum from Buyang Huanwutang 6.5 g·kg-1)

Buyang Huanwutang 13 g·kg-1 group (cultured with 10% serum from Buyang Huanwutang 13 g·kg-1)

Buyang Huanwutang 26 g·kg-1 group (cultured with 10% serum from Buyang Huanwutang 26 g·kg-1)

and blank group (cultured with 10% serum from distilled water). Cell proliferative activity

cell cycle and protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)

phosphorylation serine/threonine kinase (p-Akt) (Ser473) were detected by MTT

flow cytometry and western blot respectively. Result: BMSCs proliferation was increased in Buyang Huanwutang 13

26 g·kg-1 groups after being cultured for 48

72 h

compared with the blank group (P<0.05). After being cultured with the three kinds of Buyang Huanwutang serum for 48 h

S-phase cell rate in BMSCs was significantly higher than that in blank group (P<0.05). Protein expressions of PI3K

p-Akt(Ser473) were up-regulated in BMSCs treated with serum from Buyang Huanwutang 13

26 g·kg-1 for 48 h

compared with blank group (P<0.01). Conclusion: Serum from Buyang Huanwutang 13

26 g·kg-1 may promote BMSCs into the S phase

and enhance the proliferation of BMSCs by activating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.