Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a superfamily of enzymes that contain heme as a cofactor and mostly function as monooxygenases. These enzymes play a key role in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics, as well as in the oxidation of steroids, fatty acids, and other compounds in mammals. CYPs are important for the clearance of various compounds, as well as for hormone synthesis and breakdown. They are also necessary for the detoxification of foreign chemicals and the metabolism of drugs.

CYPs are membrane-bound hemoproteins that are bound to membranes within a cell and contain a heme pigment that absorbs light at a wavelength of 450 nm when exposed to carbon monoxide. In humans, almost 80% of oxidative metabolism and approximately 50% of the overall elimination of common clinical drugs can be attributed to one or more of the various CYPs, from the CYP families 1–3.

CYPs are expressed in many different tissues of the human body, but are found mostly in intestinal and hepatic tissues. They are linked to a wide array of reactions including and O-dealkylation, S-oxidation, epoxidation, and hydroxylation. The activation of CYPs enzymes is influenced by a plethora of factors, such as genus, environment, disease state, and drug interactions.

In summary, CYPs are a superfamily of enzymes that play a crucial role in the metabolism of drugs and other xenobiotics, as well as in the oxidation of steroids, fatty acids, and other compounds in mammals. They are membrane-bound hemoproteins that are expressed in many different tissues of the human body and are linked to a wide array of reactions.