What is the role of conjugation reactions in drug metabolism?

Conjugation reactions play a crucial role in drug metabolism, primarily by increasing the water solubility of drugs, which facilitates their elimination from the body. These reactions typically involve the binding of a drug or its metabolites to an endogenous substrate, such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, or glycine. This process transforms lipophilic compounds, which are often poorly excreted by the kidneys, into more hydrophilic ones that can be easily excreted in urine or bile.

By increasing water solubility, conjugation reactions significantly enhance the efficiency of drug elimination, thereby playing an essential role in protecting the body from potential toxicity due to accumulated drugs or their metabolites. This transformation is a necessary step that prepares drugs for excretion, ensuring that they do not remain in the system longer than needed, which can prevent adverse effects and interactions.

The other options do not accurately represent the primary function of conjugation reactions in drug metabolism, as the focus is overwhelmingly on enhancing water solubility for subsequent elimination from the body.