The potential antihypertensive activity of Brazilian plants was evaluated in vitro by its ability to inhibit the angiotensinconverting
enzyme (ACE). Forty-four plants belonging to 30 families were investigated. Plants were selected based on their
popular use as antihypertensive and/or diuretics. The following plants presented significant ACE inhibition rates: Calophyllum
brasiliense, Combretum fruticosum, Leea rubra, Phoenix roebelinii and Terminalia catappa.