Salidroside stimulates osteoblast differentiation through BMP signaling pathway

•Salidroside is identified to be a potential BMP2 activator in a cell-based assay.•Salidroside promotes osteoblast differentiation in both mouse pluripotent mesenchymal and osteoblastic cells.•Salidroside activates BMP signaling pathway.•Salidroside reverses bone loss in the ovariectomized rats.•Salidroside directly regulates bone metabolism and may be developed as anabolic drug.