In the present investigation erythrocytes obtained from healthy volunteers were loaded by prednisolone using preswell dilution and dilution technique with two different cross-linking agents, glutaraldehyde and dimethylsulphoxide. Carrier erythrocytes, having acceptable loading parameters showed increased percentage drug content with the addition of cross-linking agents. In vitro release studies showed drug release followed zero-order kinetics, hemoglobin content was found to be satisfactory and osmotic fragility study indicated increased drug entrapment efficiency was found at 0.3%w/v concentration of sodium chloride (hypotonic solution). This drug delivery is endowed with several exclusive advantages and hence holds potential for further research and clinical application.
