Toxicological impact of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on uterine health and molecular insights via docking: A review.

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are toxic compounds primarily generated via the incomplete combustion of organic fuels, characterized by two or more fused benzene rings. Widely distributed in the environment, these substances pose substantial health hazards, with adverse effects spanning the respiratory, circulatory, reproductive, immune, and cardiovascular systems. Women exhibit heightened vulnerability to PAHs exposure, as such exposure carries severe implications for reproductive health. This review focuses on PAH-induced uterine toxicity, highlighting hormonal disruption, aberrant cell proliferation, perturbed signaling pathways, dysregulated gene expression, and elevated cancer risk. Molecular docking studies provide supporting clues for the uterine toxicity induced by PAHs. Given PAHs' capacity to traverse the placental barrier and potentially harm the developing zygote, there is a pressing need for comprehensive molecular toxicological investigations to better understand and mitigate these risks.