Objective To investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on the proliferation and mineralization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), thereby elucidating the possible application of PRP in bone tissue engineering. Methods Rabbit bone marrow aspirates were procured by modified Appel’s method. BM-MSCs were isolated and cultured in traditional medium with or without supplement of 10% PRP. The cell proliferation was assayed by MTT, cell osteogenic differentiation was assayed by using ATP activity examination kit and von-Kossa staining. Results The BM-MSCs cultured in PRP-supplemented medium were more spindle-like in morphology and had a significantly shorter doubling time in comparison with the control traditional culture without PRP supplement (P<0.01). The cells also displayed a higher ATP activity than control on days 4, 8, 12, and 16 (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was exhibited at day 20 post-induction in ATP activity, and von-Kossa staining. Conclusions PRP enhances the proliferation of BM-MSCs and improves their ATP activity but has no effect on mineralization.