AN ERYTHROCYTE BASED BIOADHESIVE SYSTEM FOR NASAL DELIVERY OF PROPRANOLOL

An erythrocyte based bioadhesive system has been developed for controlled systemic delivery of propranolol hydrochloride through the nasal route. Rat erythrocytes were loaded with propranolol HCl by a method based on hypotonic swelling, isotonic resealing and reannealing. The loaded erythrocytes were cross-linked by treating with glutaraldehyde and were characterised in-vitro for drug payload efficiency, propranolol release, drug diffusion through rat intestine, bioadhesion and morphological characteristics. Loaded erythrocytes were found to release propranolol HCl slowly, the release being dependent on the degree of crosslinking. The system was found to possess good bioadhesive properties. In-vivo studies conducted on rats revealed that the developed system maintained constant plasma levels of propranolol for extended periods of time (nearly 10 h). The studies suggest the potential of the system for controlled systemic delivery of propranolol.