【Abstract】Objective To study the effects of propofol on the regulation of rat adult neural stem cells (ANSCs) proliferation and to explore the possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Propofol with clinically relevant concentrations (10, 25, 50, 100 μg/ml) was applied into the cultured rat adult neural stem cells media. The vehicle solution of intralipid was as the control. After 24 hours of incubation, cell nuclei were dyed with DAPI to check the variance of proliferation and apoptosis. Westernblot was exploited to detect the phosphorylation level of CREB. Results Propofol promoted the proliferation of ANSCs in a dose-dependent manner. CREB and phospho-CREB were expressed in ANSCs with or without application of propofol. Propofol up-regulated the phosphorylation level of CREB in ANSCs. Conclusion Propofol promotes the proliferation of ANSCs in vitro via up-regulation of phosphorylation level of CREB in ANSCs.