Abstract-Effects of condensed tannins isolated from Rhei Rhizoma on the activities of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and various proteases were examined in vitro. Among the various condensed tannins tested, procyanidin B-5 3,3 di-O-gallate and procyanidin C-1 3,3",3"-tri-O-gallate strongly inhibited the activity of ACE. The concentration of procyanidin B-5 3,3'-di-O-gallate required for 50% inhibition of ACE was 1.3X10-6 M. The inhibition of ACE by condensed tannins was reversible and non-competitive, according to dialysis and to Dixon plots. However, over one hundred times the concentration was required to inhibit activities of other proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, leucine aminopeptidase, carboxypeptidase A and urinary kallikrein. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of condensed tannins on the activities of ACE are specific.