Objective: To study the effect of Asparagus instant powder (AIP) on sleep in mice. Method: Healthy KM male mice with the body weight of 18-22 g were divided into groups randomly. Then the mice were gavaged with AIP (containing 15% saponins) of low

middle and high doses (85

170

510 mg·kg-1); control group (water)and positive control (Jujuboside 360 mg·kg-1) respectively. The treatment was lasted for 30 days

the sleep-producing test was carried out by sub-threshold dose of sodium pentobarbital

and the incubation period test with sodium pentobarbital and the sleep extending test with sodium pentobarbital were also conducted. Result: AIP showed good sleep-producing action in sub-threshold dose test of sodium pentobarbital

could significantly shorten the incubation period induced by sodium pentobarbital

and could significantly prolong sleeping time induced by sodium pentobarbital. Conclusion: AIP can improve the sleep quality.