Objective: To select the extraction technigues for Zishen Ningshen decoction. Method: By the experiment of locomotor activity and sleep in mice

four extraction techniques

i.e. water-extraction

alcohol-extraction

water-extraction with alcohol-precipitation

water-extraction and partial alcohol-extraction

were evaluated. Result: The extracts of water-extraction and alcohol-precipitation and water-extraction could significantly decrease the locomotor activity

significantly prolong the sleeping time induced by the under-threshold doses pentobarbital sodium

and the extract of partial water-extraction with partial alcohol-extraction could significantly prolong the sleeping time induced by the threshold doses pentobarbital sodium; and the four extracts all could improve the sleeping rate of the mice

among which water-extraction with alcohol-precipitation extract performed best. Conclusion: The water-extraction alcohol-precipitation was selected as the extraction technique for Zishen Ningshen decoction.