Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension

Abstract

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) catalyses theconversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to angiotensin II(Ang II). The ACE activity directly related to hyperten-sion as Ang II is the blood pressure regulating hormone.Therefore, ACE inhibitors are a major class of anti-hypertensive drugs. Captopril, chemical name, wasthe first orally active ACE inhibitory antihypertensivedrug, discovered in 1977. Since then, a number of suchdrugs have been synthesized. Enzyme-inhibitor boundcrystal structural studies reveal a great deal of under-standing about the interactions of the inhibitors at theactive site of ACE. This can be helpful in the rationaldesign of ACE inhibitors. With the advancement of the combination therapy, it is known that ACE inhibitors having antioxidant activity can be beneficialfor the treatment of hypertension. This study describesthe development of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of hypertension. Importance of ACE inhibitors having antioxidant activity is also described.