The mechanism of action of specific inhibitors depends largely on the target they are designed to inhibit. For example, enzyme inhibitors work by binding to the active site of an enzyme, thereby preventing the enzyme from catalyzing its reaction. In the context of toxicology, this can be used to block the metabolic activation of a pro-toxin into its active toxic form. Similarly, receptor antagonists can block the interaction between a toxic ligand and its receptor, preventing downstream toxic effects.
