The ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera root was studied for its effect on the central nervous system (CNS) using pentobarbitone induced sleeping time test, the open field test and the hole cross test in Swiss albino mice. The present investigation revealed that the extract at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, significantly prolonged the pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in mice though the onset of sleep was delayed as compared to control. In open field test the depressing effect was prominent from the second observation period (30 min) and persisted throughout the entire experimental period (240 min). In the hole cross test, the depressing effect was observed significant from the third observation period (60 min) and persisted up to the seventh observation period (240 min) except at fourth observation (90 min) for 250 mg dose group and depressing effect was significant from second observation (30 min) up to seventh observation period (240 min) for 500 mg dose group. These results support the finding that Leucas aspera root may contain biologically active constituent(s) having CNS activity.