Enalapril (maleate) (MK-421 (maleate)), the active metabolite of enalapril, is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor.
Enalapril (MK-421) is a prodrug that belongs to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class of medications. It is rapidly metabolized in the liver to enalaprilat following oral administration. Enalapril (MK-421) is a potent, competitive inhibitor of ACE, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I (ATI) to angiotensin II (ATII). ATII regulates blood pressure and is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Enalapril may be used to treat essential or renovascular hypertension and symptomatic congestive heart failure[1].
References:
[1]. Liu, Y.H., et al., Comparison of captopril and enalapril to study the role of the sulfhydryl-group in improvement of endothelial dysfunction with ACE inhibitors in high dieted methionine mice. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol, 2006. 47(1): p. 82-8.