The present invention relates to a composition and health functional food for inhibiting apoptosis of cranial nerve cells, and to a method for inhibiting apoptosis, wherein the composition and health functional food comprising a phosphodiesterase type 5 active inhibitor. According to the present invention, the PDE5 inhibitor exhibits a protective effect on nerve cells by inhibiting apoptosis of cranial nerve cells. Thus, the present invention can be effectively used to prevent, alleviate, and treat cranial nerve disease.
