inhibitor

also n.
One that inhibits, as a substance that retards or stops a chemical reaction.

A substance which is capable of stopping or retarding a chemical reaction. To be technically useful, such compounds must be effective in low concentrations, usually under 1%. The type of reaction which is most easily inhibited is the free-radical chain reaction. Vinyl polymerization and autoxidation are two important examples of the class. Another reaction type for which inhibitors have been found is corrosion, particularly in aqueous systems. See also Antioxidant; Free radical; Polymerization.

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n

A substance that slows or stops a chemical reaction.

A substance added to paint to retard drying, skinning, mildew growth, etc. Also see corrosion inhibitor, inhibiting pigment, drying inhibitor.

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1. any substance that interferes with a chemical reaction, growth or other biological activity.
2. a chemical substance that inhibits or checks the action of a tissue organizer or the growth of microorganisms.
3. an effector that reduces the catalytic activity of an enzyme.

• coagulation i's — clotting factors.
• fibrinolytic i's — clotting factors.
• phosphodiesterase i. — inhibits phosphodiesterase, which in turn inactivates cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The effect of the inhibitor is to increase the heart muscle content of cAMP.
• reversible i's — pharmaceutical inhibitors which have only a temporary effect, e.g. the cholinesterase inhibitors neostigmine, physostigmine.

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P-450 Estrogen-inhibitor	Automotive Rust Inhibitor