The purpose of this study was to characterize the putative anxiolytic-like effects of phenylpropanoids using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test in mice. Cinnamic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid and ferulic acid were orally administered to male ICR mice, 1 h before behavioral evaluation in an EPM, respectively. Control mice were treated with an equal volume of vehicle, and positive control mice diazepam (1 mg/kg). A single treatment with phenylpropanoids (at 8 mg/kg) significantly increased time-spent and arm entries into the open arms of the EPM, and decreased time-spent and arm entries into the closed arms of the EPM versus control (P<0.05). However, no changes in the locomotor activity and myorelaxant effect were seen in any group versus the saline control. These results suggest that phenylpropanoids may be an effective anx-iolytic agent.