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The hypothesis of this experiment is that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are involved in the genesis of the bone metaplasia caused by Solanum glaucophyllum intoxication. We determined using liquid chromatography that 1 mL of plant extract contained 3.8 μl of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3. The ability of 100 μL, 1 mL and 5 mL of extract/L, containing 1 nM (0.4 μg/L), 10 nM (4 μg/L) and 50 nM (20 μg/L) of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3, respectively, in inducing the osteogenic differentiation in bone marrow MSCs from rats was tested. At the concentrations of 1 and 5 mL of extract/L of culture medium without osteogenesis-inducing factors, the plant extract induced the osteogenic differentiation of the MSCs, as was evidenced by the greater synthesis of mineralized matrix. At the higher concentration (5 mL of extract/L), an increase in the relative expression of BMP-2 gene was observed. It was concluded that rat bone marrow MSC culture is a good model for studying the effects of the S. glaucophyllum extract on the osteogenic differentiation of undifferentiated cells. Also, S. glaucophyllum extracts containing 10 nM (4 μg/L) and 50 nM (20 μg/L) of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 induce the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, suggesting that this is one of the mechanisms by which S. glaucophyllum causes bone metaplasia. • Solanum glaucophyllum induces the osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. • Solanum glaucophyllum increases osteopontin, BMP-2 and bone sialoprotein. • The osteogenic differentiation is dependent of concentration of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3. • Stem cells can be used as an model to study the genesis of bone metaplasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]