bioactivation

Drug becomes active

Bioactivation is the metabolic process by which the body converts a substance into a more biologically active form.

This occurs most often with drugs and other compounds that are relatively inactive until enzymes in the liver or other tissues transform them into their active state.

The term also applies when harmless substances are converted into toxic or carcinogenic metabolites, making bioactivation a key concern in pharmacology and toxicology.

pharmacological

metabolism

Cellular nutrient conversion

cytochromeHeme protein transferring electrons
enzymeProtein that hastens reactions
hepaticRelating to liver

conversion · therapeutic · liver · oxidation · CYP450 · metabolite · drug · biotransformation · pharmaceutical · catalysis

biochemical

enzymatic

Involving biological catalysts

substrateUnderlying supporting material
cofactorEnzyme-activating compound
pathwayDesignated route for travel

catalytic · mechanism · hydrolysis · reduction · oxidation · kinetics · mitochondria · cellular · molecular · reaction

toxicological

reactive

Tending to respond

metaboliteSubstance from cellular processes
carcinogenCancer-promoting agent
toxicityCapacity to cause harm

DNA · adduct · mutagenesis · electrophile · nitrosamine · benzene · glutathione · depletion · oxidative · stress

Opposites

metabolic transformation direction

bioactivationdetoxification

Removing harmful substances internally

detoxication · deactivation · inactivation · biodegradation · elimination

Family

biology, activate, antibiotic, deactivate, biological, biologist, activation, biotic, symbiotic

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