Endocrine disrupting effects of the pollutant β-hexachlorocyclohexane in cancer cells: possible chemopreventing role of the natural sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene

OCPs have been deeply studied in the last decades and cytotoxic mechanisms of compounds such as dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls have been widely described in literature. Still, the β-isomer of hexaclorocyclohexane has not been largely investigated, despite its relatively common geographic distribution and its physicochemical properties make it extremely dangerous for human health. My research aim was to investigate the cellular mechanisms triggered by β-HCH, taking into account the pleiotropic role of the protein signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and its function as a hub protein in cellular signalling pathways triggered by β-HCH. Moreover, the protective role of a natural compound, β-Caryophyllene, was evaluated against β-HCH-induced toxicity.