Formulation and Drug Loading Features of Nano-Erythrocytes

Xiaoting Dong, Yawei Niu, Yi Ding, Yuemin Wang, Jialan Zhao, Wei Leng, Linghao Qin

Nano erythrocyte ghosts have recently been used as drug carriers of water-soluble APIs due to inherit biological characteristics of good compatibility, low toxicity, and small side-effect. In this study, we developed a novel drug delivery system based on nano erythrocyte ghosts (STS-Nano-RBCs) to transport Sodium Tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) for intravenous use in rat. STS-Nano-RBCs were prepared by hypotonic lysis and by extrusion methods, and its biological properties were investigated compared with STS injection. The results revealed that STS-Nano-RBCs have narrow particle size distribution, good drug loading efficiency, and good stability within 21 days. Compared with STS injection, STS-Nano-RBCs extended the drug release time in vitro and in vivo with better repairing effect on oxidative stress-impaired endothelial cells. These results suggest that the nano erythrocyte ghosts system could be used to deliver STS.