Objective To investigate the relationship between N-methyl-D aspartate (NMDA) receptors and the hypnotic and analgesic effects of enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane. Methods Kunming mice weighing 18-22 g were used in this study. The experiment was carried out in 2 parts. In Part I 120 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =40 each); each group received intraperitoneal (IP) enflurane 2 ml?kg-1 or isoflurane 1.2 ml?kg-1 or sevoflurane 5 ml?kg-1 . Each group was further divided randomly into 4 subgroups ( n = 10 each) and each subgroup received artificial cerebro-spinal fluid (aCSF) 10 ?l or NMDA 25, 50 or 75 ng in 10 ?l aCSF injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain as soon as the animals lost righting reflex. The time for the recovery of righting reflex was recorded. In Part Ⅱ 160 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups ( n = 40 each) : ( 1) control group received no inhalation anesthetic; (2) enflurane group received enflurane 1.5 ml?kg-1 subcutaneously s.c. ; (3) isoflurane group isoflurane 0.8 ml?kg-1 s.c. and (4) sevoflurane group sevoflurane 4.5 ml ?kg-1 s.c. Each group was further divided randomly into 4 subgroups ( n = 10 each). Each subgroup received intrathecal (IT) aCSF 10 ?l or NMDA 2.5 ng or 5.0 ng or 10 ng in aCSF 10 ?l at 10 min after subcutaneous injection of inhalation anesthetic. 6% acetic acid 0.1 ml?10 g-1 was injected IP at 1 min after intrathecal administration. The number of writhing induced by acetic acid was recorded. Results In Part Ⅰ of the experiment there was no significant difference in the duration of anesthesia induced by the 3 inhalation anesthetics between the 4 subgroups. In Part Ⅱ subcutaneous injection of the 3 inhalation anesthetics significantly reduced the number of writhing induced by IP acetic acid. In control group which received no inhalation anesthetic there was no significant difference in the number of writhing between the 4 subgroups. In the 3 inhalation anesthetic groups NMDA5. 0 and 10 ng IT significantly increased the number of writhing induced by IP acetic acid in a dose dependent manner as compared with aCSF subgroup. Conclusion Cerebral NMDA receptors do not play an important role in the hypnotic effect of enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane while spinal NMDA receptors are involved in the analgesic effect of the 3 inhalation anesthetics.