Ethnopharmacological relevanceRW-Cb, the first processed product of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. (Dicksoniaceae) in TCM has been widely used to treat osteoporosis, a major worldwide health problem, influencing more and more people in the word et al. To do research on RW-Cb, one processed product of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. (Dicksoniaceae) in TCM has been widely used to treat osteoporosis, a major worldwide health problem, influencing more and more people in the word et al. Materials and methodsThe raw rhizome slices of Cibotium barometz were identified and both P-acid and P-aldehyde had a high purity. Primary rat osteoblasts were cultured and identified to be used for the assay. ResultsRW-Cb contributed the most to osteoblasts proliferation and the AKP activity among all the groups; osteoblasts proliferation effect of P-acid and P-aldehyde: the mixed group(high>middle>low)>the P-acid group (high>middle>low) or the P-aldehyde group(high>middle>low), P<0.001; AKP activity: the P-acid's high group was higher than P-aldehyde's high, the mixed of low and middle groups had no significant difference, the rest of groups' results were similar to the osteoblasts' proliferation, P<0.05. ConclusionsRW-Cb and its index constituents like P-acid and P-aldehyde could promote proliferation and differentiation of primary rat osteoblasts cultured in vitro, and it could be the theoretical basis for the treatment of osteoporosis.