Uric acid is an important, naturally occurring serum antioxidant. The present study investigates the use of uric acid for promoting proliferation and neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human placenta tissue. Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells were pre-induced in the presence of either 0, 0.2, 0.4 or 0.8 mM uric acid in combination with 1 mM β-mercaptoethanol for 24 hours, followed by exposure to identical uric acid concentrations and 5 mM β-mercaptoethanol for 6 and 10 hours. Cells developed a neuronal-like morphology, with formation of interconnected process extensions, typical of neural cells. Immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence staining showed neuron specific enolase positive cells were present in each group except the control group. A greater number of neuron specific enolase positive cells were observed in 0.8 mM uric acid in combination with 5 mM β-mercaptoethanol at 10 hours. After 24 hours of induction, Nissl bodies were detected in the cytoplasm of all differentiated cell groups except the control group and Nissl body numbers were greatest in human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown in the presence of 0.8 mM uric acid and 5 mM β-mercaptoethanol. These results suggest uric acid accelerates differentiation of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neuronal-like cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner.