Abstract: Objective To investigate the potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells（hUC-MSCs) differentiating into neural cells in vitro induction. Method Using three methods, including growth factor bFGF and EGF associated with RA, traditional Chinese medicine monomer ursolic acid (UA), the liquid supernatant of the neurons from cerebral cortex of newborn rat cultured in serum-free to induce hUC-MSCs to differentiate into neural cells, observe the morphological changes and detect the special markers of neural cells by immunocytochemistry. Result Induced by cytokines, UA (2 mg/l), hUC-MSCs could gradually become bipolar, multipolar or conical instead of fibrous, and the body may also shrink; and some could extend processes, elongating gradually with the time, even some sub-processes and network. The bodies of some other cells showed sphericity with short processes. Induced by the supernatant of the neurons from cerebral cortex of newborn rat cultured in serum-free media, hUC-MSCs may firstly differentiate into Nestin and Musashi-1 positive neurospheres, then undergo the morphological changes mentioned above and form neural cells. Shown by immunocytochemistry, a small quantity of hUC-MSCs express Tubulin, GFAP, or O4 after induction of 14 days. Conclusion hUC-MSCs can be induced in vitro to differentiate into neural cells under certain conditions, providing a new approach for cell transplantation treatment of nervous system diseases.