The effect of chlorogenic acid on the sleep-wakefulness cycle in rats was investigated in comparison with those of caffeic acid (the metabolite of chlorogenic acid) and dihydrocaffeic acid (the metabolite of caffeic acid). A significant prolongation of sleep latency was observed with chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid at a dose of 500 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. On the other hand, no remarkable effects were observed with dihydrocaffeic acid even at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Caffeine caused a significant increase in sleep latency and waking time and decrease in non-rapid eye movement sleep time at a dose of 10 mg/kg. In contrast, chlorogenic acid and its metabolites had no significant effects on each sleep state. From these results, it may be concluded that chrologenic acid caused a mild arousal effect compared with that of caffeine, and the effect of chlorogenic acid may have occurred through its metabolite caffeic acid.