Objective To study the protective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA) against the oxidative damage caused by β-mercaptoethanol(BME) during neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) in vitro. Methods When the confluence reached 50%-60%, 4~(th) passage MSCs were divided into three groups to culture. G1: normal group which was cultured using basic medium(DMEM containing 10% FBS all the time); G2: unprotected group which was continuously cultured using basic medium for 24 h, and then cultured using pre-induction medium(DMEM containing 10% FBS and 1 mmol/L BME); G3: protected group which was firstly cultured using protective medium(DMEM containing 10% FBS and 160 mg/L HSYA) for 24 h, and then cultured using pre-induction medium for 24 h. After these treatments as above, cell viability, relative levels of SOD/GSH and apoptosis rate were respectively detected. The expression of Bcl and Bax was examined by Western blotting. After HSYA protection and BME pre-induction, neural induction was performed. The expression of NSE and MAP-2 was respectively analyzed on cellular and molecular levels. Results Compared with unprotected group, 160 mg/L HSYA could obviously improve cells viability, maintain high level of SOD and GSH in MSCs, reduce apoptosis rate and improve the ratio of Bcl/Bax. After protection with 160 mg/L HSYA, the survival time of neuron-like cells could be extended. Immunocytochemical staining showed that after 10 h of neural induction, the differentiated neuron-like cells in protected group were still in a good state, and the m RNA levels of NSE and MAP-2 were increased during the induction course checked. Conclusion HSYA could improve the resistance of cells to the oxidative damage caused by BME. Objective To study the protective effects of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) against the oxidative damage caused by β-mercaptoethanol (BME) during neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. Methods When the confluence reached 50% -60%, 4 G1: normal group which was cultured using basic medium (DMEM containing 10% FBS all the time); G2: unprotected group which was continuously cultured using basic medium for 24 h, and then cultured using a pre-induction medium (DMEM containing 10% FBS and 1 mmol / L BME); G3: protected group which was originally cultured using a protective medium (DMEM containing 10% FBS and 160 mg / L HSYA) and then cultured using pre-induction medium for 24 h. After these treatments as above, cell viability, relative levels of SOD / GSH and apoptosis rate were detected each. The expression of Bcl and Bax was examined by Western blotting. After HSYA protection and BME pre-induction, neural Results were compared with unprotected groups. 160 mg / L HSYA could be able to improve the viability of cells, maintain high level of SOD and GSH in MSCs, reduce apoptosis rate and improve the ratio of Bcl / Bax. After protection with 160 mg / L HSYA, the survival time of neuron-like cells could be extended. Immunocytochemical staining showed that after 10 h of neural induction, the differentiated neuron-like cells in protected group were still in a good state, and the m RNA levels of NSE and MAP-2 were increased during the induction course checked. Conclusion HSYA could improve the resistance of cells to the oxidative damage caused by BME.