A new approach addressing the therapeutic potential of the activation of the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis was proposed by Hernández Prada et al. [113] . Based on the crystal structure of ACE2 and using a virtual screening strategy, it was identified small molecules that may interact with this enzyme leading to changes in its conformation and, consequently, enhancing its activity [113] . Thus, the ACE2 activator, namely XNT, was identified and its administration in SHR decreased blood pressure, induced an improvement in cardiac function, and reversed the myocardial and perivascular fibrosis observed in these animals [48, 113] . The beneficial effects of XNT were also observed in rats with PH induced by MCT [117] . Furthermore, this compound attenuated the thrombus formation and reduced the platelet attachment to vessels in hypertensive rats [145] .