Abstract:To study the sedative and hypnotic effects of Zizyphi spinosae semen Granule and the potential mechanism. Administrated with Zizyphi spinosae semen Granule （10、20、40 mg/kg） for 7 consecutive days，di－ azepam as a positive control， saline as control， The number of spontaneous activities in mice， the number of sleep deprivation in pentobarbital sodium mice， the sleep latency and the sleep time in pentobarbital sodium mice were compared， and the content of γ-amino butyric acid （GABA） in brain tissue of mice was compared. The results showed that Zizyphi spinosae semen particle moderate and high doses could significantly reduce the number of independent activity in mice， shortening the activity time（P＜0.05）， Zizyphi spinosae semen particle moderate and high doses could significantly raise the subthreshold dose of pentobarbital sodium in mice sleeping only a few（P＜0.05）， low，moderate and high doses of Zizyphi spinosae semen particle could shorten sleep laten－ cy threshold dosages in mice， prolonged sleep time（P＜0.05）， GABA in the brain tissue of mice was significant－ ly increase. Zizyphi spinosae semen particle have a good sedative and hypnotic effects， the mechanism of action may be to play a sedative and hypnotic effect by adjusting the content of GABA.