Angiotensins as therapeutic targets beyond heart disease

•The RAS is a key regulator of cardiovascular and hydro-electrolyte homeostasis. •Novel actions and therapeutics implications of the RAS were recently identified. •Angiotensins are therapeutic targets beyond heart disease. •The role of angiotensins in diverse disorders is briefly reviewed. •Activation of ACE2/Ang-(1–7)/Mas and/or inhibition of the classical ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis can be effective in many disorders. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular and hydro-electrolyte homeostasis. Blockade of the RAS as a therapeutic strategy for treating hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases is well established. However, actions of the RAS go far beyond the targets initially described. In this regard, the recent identification of novel components of the RAS, including angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)], Ang-(1–9), and alamandine, have opened new possibilities for interfering with the development and manifestations of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we briefly review novel targets for angiotensins and its therapeutic implications in diverse areas, including cancer, inflammation, and glaucoma. The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in cardiovascular and hydro-electrolyte homeostasis. Blockade of the RAS as a therapeutic strategy for treating hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases is well established. However, actions of the RAS go far beyond the targets initially described. In this regard, the recent identification of novel components of the RAS, including angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)], Ang-(1–9), and alamandine, have opened new possibilities for interfering with the development and manifestations of cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. In this article, we briefly review novel targets for angiotensins and its therapeutic implications in diverse areas, including cancer, inflammation, and glaucoma.