OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the proliferation of the cells from medial collateral ligament (MCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) cells. METHODS: The MCL cells and ACL cells of mature New Zealand white rabbit were cultured, while HA, bFGF or HA and bFGF were added to the cell culture media, the cellular proliferation was assayed by MTT method. RESULTS: HA only had no effect on the preoliferation of ACL cells, but had a small stimulatory effect on the proliferation of MCL cells. The addition of 1 ng/ml bFGF enhanced the proliferation of both MCL and ACL cells significantly, and this enhancement was maximal in the concentration of 50 ng/ml. However, the enhancement of proliferation of MCL and ACL cells could be achieved when the combination of HA in concentration of 100 micrograms/ml and bFGF in concentration of 100 ng/ml. CONCLUSION: It is evident that bFGF can enhance the proliferation of the ligament cells. HA can maintain the normal growth of ACL cells with no effect on the proliferation of the cells, while HA has a small stimulatory effect on the proliferation of MCL cells. However, when bFGF is coordinated with HA, more improvement of cellular proliferation can be achieved. HA can be used as a potential carrier for bFGF to enhance the healing of ligamentous tissue injuries.