Objective    To observe the effects of total saponins of tribulus of various consistency on the differentiation of neural hippocampus stem cells.     Methods    The hippocampus stem cells from newborn rat were obtained by serum-free medium and single-cell cloning technique. Hippocampus stem cells were induced by total saponins of tribulus of various consistency. Nestin

BrdU

neurofilament (NF-200)

glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression were detected using immunocytochemical stains. The numbers of NF and GFAP positive cells were counted. The percentages of positive cells were obtained.     Results    The dissociated cells from the organ of hippocampus developed into much of indiffrentiated otopheres of nestin positive cells. The hippocampus stem cell differentiated into neurons and astrocytes with the total saponins of tribulus. The percentage of NF positive neuron in the 20 mg/kg consistency of total saponins of tribulus groups was significantly higher than that in the control group and other consistency of total saponins of tribulus groups.     Conclusion    Total saponins of tribulus may enhance neural hippocampus stem cells differentiate into NF positive neuron.