The aim of present study is to evaluate the sedative activity of leaves and laxative activity of seeds of the plant Vigna trilobata (L) verdc. using various experimental animal models. Aqueous extract of the Vigna trilobata leaves (AEVTL) was used to investigate the sedative activity using Rotarod apparatus and Photoactometer in mice at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight and compared to standard diazepam (5mg/kg, i.p.). The result obtained from this study revealed that AEVTL possessed

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... gnificant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) sedative activity at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg by reducing locomotor activity and fall off time in mice in a dose dependent manner. In the laxative activity paradigm, results showed that AEVTS possessed significant (p<0.05 and p<0.01) laxative activity at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg by increasing propulsive gut motility in mice and the weight of faeces in rats in a dose dependent manner. The results of this study justify the use of the leaves as sedative in traditional medicine. Further studies may be directed at characterizing the bioactive ingredients that are responsible for the observed activities in the plant.