Description
Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine L-type Ca2+ channel blocker that exhibits antihypertensive, anti-anginal, and vasodilatory activities. Amlodipine is clinically used to treat hypertension and angina as it induces relaxation of arterial smooth muscles, decreases blood pressure, and increases blood flow to the heart. Amlodipine also inhibits acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMA), which is involved in programmed cell death. Additionally, this compound improves smooth muscle hypertrophy and collagen deposition, preventing arterial remodeling in hypertensive rats.