Summary
This narrative review synthesises preclinical evidence on how dietary phytochemicals exert cancer-preventive effects through epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation and demethylation. The authors highlight that phytochemicals can reverse procarcinogenic epigenetic events—notably by demethylating the NRF2 promoter to restore antioxidant signalling and by hypermethylating inflammation-associated genes—offering a low-toxicity alternative to conventional cancer therapies.
Regional applicability
This is a preclinical mechanistic review without geographical specificity and does not report clinical outcomes or population-level data. Applicability to United Kingdom dietary advice or cancer prevention policy would require translational research and human clinical trials; the review identifies plausible mechanisms but does not establish optimal dietary intake levels or population-level effectiveness in UK contexts.
Key measures
NRF2 promoter methylation status; NRF2-ARE signalling activation; inflammatory gene expression; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of phytochemicals
Outcomes reported
The review summarises preclinical studies demonstrating how dietary phytochemicals regulate gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation and demethylation) in skin, colorectal, and prostate cancer prevention. Key mechanisms include restoration of NRF2-ARE signalling through NRF2 promoter demethylation and inhibition of inflammatory gene expression.
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