Their biological activity is generally attributable to inhibition of NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity and thereby mitochondrial respiration.

这一类化合物之所以具有很好的性，是由于对还原型烟酰胺腺嘌呤二核甘酸(NADH)的抑制作用而阻了线粒体的呼吸。