Mesoporous carbon nanofibers (M-CNF) were synthesized using a self-templating strategy and a solution growth process. An M-CNF modified glassy carbon electrode (M-CNF/GCE) was fabricated, and its electrocatalytic performance was investigated for the first time using dopamine (DA), ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) as probes. The M-CNF/GCE exhibited satisfactory electrocatalytic activity by significantly decreasing the oxidation potentials and increasing the peak currents in the oxidation of DA, AA and UA when compared with those obtained using the GCE. More importantly, the M-CNF/GCE afforded the simultaneous detection of DA, AA and UA at a physiological pH of 7.4 with a wide linear response and high sensitivity. Moreover, under amperometric conditions, the M-CNF/GCE was capable of detecting DA, AA and UA with low detection limits. Furthermore, the universality of the electrocatalytic capability of the M-CNF was confirmed by its superior electrocatalytic oxidation of purines, such as guanine (G), adenine (A), xanthine (XA) and hypoxanthine (HX). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.