SIRT1 is known to be closely associated with cellular senescence, while the relationship between miR-487a-3p and SIRT1 and their role in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) remains unclear. MiRDB analysis showed SIRT1 is a target of miR-487a-3p. Here we investigated whether miR-487a-3p modulates senescence of mesenchymal stem cells by targeting SIRT1. The human MSCs (hMSCs) were divided into control group (NC group), miR-487a-3p Mimics group, pCMV-SIRT+miR-487a-3p Mimics group followed by analysis of miR-487a-3p expression by qPCR and protein level of SIRT1, P21 and P53 by western blot. Dual luciferin report assay verified the binding of miR-487a-3p to SIRT1 mRNA and β-galactosidase activity staining detected hMSCs senescence. miR-487a-3p level was significantly elevated after miR-487a-3p Mimics treatment (P <0.01) without difference between miR-487a-3p Mimics group and pCMV-SIRT1 group+miR-487a-3pMimics (P >0.05). miR-487a-3p mimics significantly decreased SIRT1 level (P < 0.01), which was reversed by pCMVSIRT1 plasmid transfection (P <0.05). Moreover, miR-487a-3p could bind SIRT1 mRNA 3′-UTR region. Further more, miR-487a-3p Mimics induced cellular senescence as displayed by increased β-galactosidase activity (P <0.01) and increased level of senescence-related proteins P21 and P53 (P < 0.01), which were all reversed by overexpression of SIRT1 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, miR-487a-3p reduced SIRT1 expression, thus promoting hMSCs senescence, while overexpression of SIRT1 could counteract the senescence of hMSCs induced by miR-487a-3p.