To observe the influences of ginsenoside Rb1 （GsRb1） on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells （hPDLSCs）, and its molecular mechanism related to stromal cell-derived factor-1 （SDF-1）/CXC chemokine receptor 4 （CXCR4） pathway.

hPDLSCs were isolated and cultured by enzyme digestion method. Cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of stromal cell antigen 1 （STRO-1） and cluster of differentiation 146 （CD146） positive cells. hPDLSCs were treated with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0 μmol·L^-1 GsRb1, respectively, and the optimal concentration was screened by CCK-8 method. hPDLSCs were divided into control group, GsRb1 （4.0 μmol·L^-1） group, AMD3100 （5 μg·mL^-1） group, and GsRb1+AMD3100 group, the cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity of each group were compared, the mRNA expression of Runt-related gene 2 （Runx2）, oxterix, and osteopontin （OPN） were detected by qRT-PCR, and the formation of mineralized nodules in hPDLSCs was detected by alizarin red staining and quantitative analysis. Western blot was used to detect the expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway-related proteins.

hPDLSCs were arranged radially, with long spindles, and the growth was relatively dense. The proportions of STRO-1 and CD146 positive cells were 97.19% and 98.01%, respectively. With the increase of GsRb1 concentration, the proliferation activity of hPDLSCs was enhanced in a dose-dependent manner （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group, the cell viability and ALP activity in the GsRb1 group were enhanced, and the mRNA expression of Runx2, oxterix, OPN, the amount of mineralized nodules, and the protein expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were increased （P<0.05）, while the AMD3100 group was the opposite （P<0.05）.Compared with the GsRb1 group, the cell viability and ALP activity in the GsRb1+AMD3100 group were decreased, and the mRNA expression of Runx2, oxterix, OPN, the amount of mineralized nodules, and the protein expression of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were decreased （P<0.05）.

GsRb1 can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs, which may be related to the increased protein expression of SDF-1/CXCR4 signaling pathway.