Zeitschrift für Formulierungswissenschaft und Bioverfügbarkeit

Evaluating the Efficacy of Two Osmosis-based Strategies in Red Blood Cell Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

Celia Vizan

In recent years, drug delivery systems have seen remarkable advancements, driven by the need for targeted and controlled drug release. Among these innovations, the use of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) as carriers for drug delivery has garnered significant attention. RBCs are ideal candidates due to their biocompatibility, long circulatory half-life and the potential to encapsulate a variety of therapeutic agents. Two promising strategies for drug delivery involving RBCs are osmosis-based methods: hypotonic swelling and isotonic shrinkage. In this article, we will explore and evaluate the efficacy of these two osmosis-based strategies in RBC drug delivery systems. Before delving into the evaluation of hypotonic swelling and isotonic shrinkage, it's essential to understand the underlying principles of osmosis-based drug delivery within RBCs. The field of drug delivery has witnessed significant advancements over the years, with researchers constantly exploring innovative methods to improve the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. One promising avenue is the use of Red Blood Cells (RBCs) as drug carriers due to their unique properties, such as long circulation times, biocompatibility and the potential to evade the immune system. Among the various strategies for loading drugs into RBCs, osmosis-based methods have gained prominence. In this article, we will evaluate the efficacy of two osmosis-based strategies for drug delivery systems using RBCs.