Many Novel approaches of epigenetic reprogramming of somatic cells have been reported. However, ethical issues caused by somatic nuclear transfer have triggered the development of alternative strategies for reprogramming somatic cells. Recently, many new advances have been acquired for reprogramming somatic cells, which could reverse differentiated somatic cells to a totipotent embryonic state, such as fusion of potential stem cells with somatic cells, incubation of cells in potential cell-free extraction and introduction of defined pluripotency factors into somatic cells. The epigenetic modification in these reprogramming processes, including germ cells and early embryoes, somatic nuclear transfer and other approaches for reprogramming of somatic cells were reviewed. Studies of epigenetics will be benefit for understanding the precise mechanism and improving the efficiency of somatic nuclear reprogramming, which will be eventually applied in the basic study and practice.