First orally active DRI Aliskiren--a new prospect in management of hypertension and beyond

Hypertension is a major public health problem and leading cause for diseases involving cardiovascular & renal system. It is fourth largest contributor for premature deaths in developed countries and seventh largest in developing world. The major pharmacological strategies currently utilized for hypertension management include volume control with diuretics, suppression of central and peripheral sympathetic nervous system activity, vasodilatation with ion channel manipulation and blockade of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and renal disease is well established. It also has been established that inhibition of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is an effective way to intervene with pathogenesis of these disorders. Therapies like beta blockers, renin inhibitors, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and aldosterone inhibitors, that inhibit renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have proven to be highly successful for treatment of hypertension & related cardiovascular diseases. Renin inhibitors block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system at its origin, and thus offer a new approach to pharmacotherapy of Hypertension. Aliskiren is the first in a new class of orally active, non-peptide, low molecular weight direct renin inhibitor available for clinical use and potential new approach to the blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Studies in humans demonstrate to an effectual blood Pressure lowering effect of aliskiren with placebo like tolerability, when used as monotherapy or in combination with other agents and has the potential to be useful in this wide spectrum of conditions