To explore the effects of a novel magnesium alloy (Mg-3Nd-1Gd-0.3Sr-0.2Zn-0.4Zr (wt%)) on osteoblast proliferation and adhesion, and to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms. In vitro DAPI and ALP analyses revealed that the new magnesium alloy was able to promote osteoblast adhesion in a dose-dependent manner. CCK-8 assays also revealed alloy-dependent changes in MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation after 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, with significantly higher proliferation levels in the group treated with the magnesium alloy leaching solution (P<0.05). This new magnesium alloy was also able to enhance fibronectin, collagen type I, integrin α2, FAK, and GLUT3 expression at the mRNA and protein levels, driving MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and adhesion via the ERK and FAK/Akt/mTOR pathways. Consistent with the observation, the addition of inhibitors specific for these pathways was sufficient to disrupt the adhesion and proliferation of these MC3T3-E1 cells. Relative to titanium alloys, the new magnesium alloy developed in this study was better able to promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and adhesion through the ERK and FAK/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways, respectively.