ABSTRACT
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by recurrent non ⁃ specific intestinal inflammatory responses. Intestinal fibrosis is an important cause of IBD complicated with intestinal obstruction. Nuclear factor erythroid 2⁃ related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor that has anti ⁃ oxidative stress response in cells. In IBD, Nrf2 and its downstream regulated antioxidant enzymes achieve protective effects against intestinal fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor ⁃ κB, regulating T helper cell 17/regulatory T cell balance of intestinal immunity, and inhibiting transforming growth factor⁃β1/Smads signaling pathway. In this review, the structure of Nrf2, the specific mechanism of Nrf2's effect on intestinal fibrosis in IBD, and the recent studies on the treatment of IBD through Nrf2 pathway were reviewed in an attempt to provide a new direction for the prevention and treatment of IBD.