The Biochemistry of Drug Metabolism – An Introduction

This review continues a general presentation of the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics begun in two recent issues of Chemistry & Biodiversity. This Part presents some of the numerous hydrolases involved, their nomenclature, relevant biochemical properties, catalytic mechanisms, and the many reactions of hydrolysis they catalyze. A number of medicinally, environmentally, and toxicologically relevant examples are presented and discussed. The reactions examined include the hydrolysis of carboxylic esters, amides and peptides, lactones, and other labile rings, and esters of inorganic acids. The hydration of epoxides and its enzymology are treated separately.