Disclosed is a compound capable of promoting the growth and development of neurons, the proliferation of neural stem cells and inducing the neural stem cells to differentiate into neurons, which is represented by a general formula as (I). ##STR00001## The compound of the present invention can increase the survival rate of neural cells even at a low cellular density in a culture medium. The compound of the present invention can also promote the growth of neurons, which is revealed by the increase in the thickness, length and number of branches in the neurites (neural fibers). In addition, the compound of the present invention can be used to promote the development of neural stem cells and induce them to differentiate into neurons.