NCIt definition : The hydrochloride salt of delapril, a lipophilic, non-sulfhydryl angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with antihypertensive activity. As a prodrug, delapril is converted
to two active metabolites, delapril diacid and 5-hydroxy delapril diacid, which competitively
bind to and inhibit ACE, thereby blocking the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin
II. This prevents the potent vasoconstrictive actions of angiotensin II and results
in vasodilation. Delapril also decreases angiotensin II-induced aldosterone secretion
by the adrenal cortex, which leads to an increase in sodium excretion and subsequently
increases water outflow.;