Objectives : This study investigated effect of Evodiae fructus water extract (EVOR) on apoptotic cell death induced by NaCN in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell lines. NaCN stimulates glutamate release which can activate glutamate receptors to initiate excitotoxic processes. This study examines the role of EVOR in mediating NaCN-induced cytotoxicity. Methods & Results : Cytotoxicity was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the culture media. NaCN(0.1mM) produced cytotoxicity following 12hrs of incubation. NaCN-induced cytotoxicity was partially blocked by EVOR. The treatment of EVOR in simultaneous exposure of cultures to NaCN provided complete protection against cytotoxicity. NaCN-induced cytotoxicity was found to inhibit DNA fragmentation, repaired by cell cycle and simultaneous exposure to NaCN, regenerated with neurite outgrowh by EVOR. These results indicate thaf damage by NaCN in neumnal cell cultures was repaired by EVOR, whereas NaCN-induced cytotoxicity is blocked Primarily by activation of anti-apoptosis. Conclusions : These results suggest that EVOR may be beneficial for the treatment of dementia and other degenerative problems of the central nervous system.