Natural products for cancer prevention associated with Nrf2–ARE pathway

Cancer chemoprevention involves the application of natural or synthetic compounds to reduce the risk of cancer development. One of the most effective strategies for preventing human cancers might involve inducing phase II detoxifying enzymes and antioxidant enzymes via natural dietary compounds. The regulatory regions of these inducible genes encode the antioxidant response element (ARE). Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), as a transcription factor, plays a key role in the expression of ARE-mediated genes. Similarly, Nrf2 performs an essential function in the up-regulation of these genes in response to oxidative stress and treatment with dietary phytochemicals. In this article, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the Nrf2/ARE pathway as a potential molecular target for cancer chemoprevention and its molecular regulation mechanisms, and highlight Nrf2/ARE inducers derived from natural products, which may be used as chemopreventive agents for cancer patients.