核因子红细胞2相关因子2(NRF2)是一种在细胞稳态和凋亡调控中至关重要的转录因子。NRF2基因与多种生物学活动有关，包括抗氧化、抗炎和抗癌特性。NRF2可以在转录、转录后和翻译水平上通过遗传和表观遗传方式进行调控。尽管DNA甲基化是基因表达中至关重要的生物学过程之一，但有时，异常的甲基化模式会导致基因失调和相关疾病。几项研究已经报道了启动子高甲基化降低NRF2表达及其下游靶点的情况。与基因模式不可改变的性质相反，表观遗传变化可以逆转，为开发治疗各种代谢性疾病和疾病提供了新的可能性。本综述讨论了几种天然植物化学物质，包括芥子硫酸苷、白藜芦醇、姜黄素、木犀草素、草乌酸、芹菜素和其他已发现能激活NRF2的化合物，对NRF2介导的抗氧化和抗肿瘤活性的当前状况。这种逆转高甲基化的NRF2状态的表观遗传提供了研究影响人类表观基因组的膳食植物化学物质的新机会，并为靶向NRF2介导的信号传导以预防慢性疾病提供了前沿方法的可能性。

The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor crucial in regulating cellular homeostasis and apoptosis. The NRF2 gene has been implicated in various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. NRF2 can be regulated genetically and epigenetically at the transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational levels. Although DNA methylation is one of the critical biological processes vital for gene expression, sometimes, anomalous methylation patterns result in the dysregulation of genes and consequent diseases and disorders. Several studies have reported promoter hypermethylation downregulated NRF2 expression and its downstream targets. In contrast to the unalterable nature of genetic patterns, epigenetic changes can be reversed, opening up new possibilities in developing therapies for various metabolic disorders and diseases. This review discusses the current state of the NRF2-mediated antioxidative and chemopreventive activities of several natural phytochemicals, including sulforaphane, resveratrol, curcumin, luteolin, corosolic acid, apigenin, and most other compounds that have been found to activate NRF2. This epigenetic reversal of hypermethylated NRF2 states provides new opportunities for research into dietary phytochemistry that affects the human epigenome and the possibility for cutting-edge approaches to target NRF2-mediated signaling to prevent chronic disorders.