An object of the present invention is to provide an apoptosis inhibiting agent which inhibits apoptosis of a cell having a DNA which is directly or indirectly damaged with ultraviolet-rays or the like, enhances the tissue restoring property of a cell, can be added to various drugs, and can be expected to be widely applied. An apoptosis inhibiting agent for an epidermal cell, containing a water and ethanol-soluble glycyrrhiza extract as an active ingredient. The apoptosis inhibiting agent has an anti-apoptotic factor due to expression of BLC-2 protein, and has the property of preventing a DNA damage due to ultraviolet-rays. The agent alleviates the DNA damage of an epidermal cell due to ultraviolet exposure and, moreover, does not abnormally or adversely affect a normal skin cell.
