ABSTRACT: Silicified microcrystalline cellulose pellets with hydroxypropyl methylcellullose (HPMC) as modifier were prepared using a
mixed solvent as liquid binder. Pellets were produced using extrusion-spheronization with a mixed solvent consisting of water and isopropanol
as liquid binder. The key spheronization aid was Prosolv® SMCC 90. Low viscosity grade HPMC was incorporated aiming to
modify release of indometacin. Physical characteristics including breaking load, apparent density and flow properties, particle size distribution
and shape were determined. Drug loaded pellets were also tested for dissolution profiles. By adjusting liquid binder property, at
isopropanol to water ratio of 3.5 to 6.5, pellets of desirable size and shape with reasonable yields were obtained. Pellets exhibited good
flow property and they were mechanically strong. Pellet with higher HPMC content displayed a faster drug dissolution profile. This was
because low viscosity grade HPMC was not enough to create strong gel. Instead hydration of HPMC molecules increased matrix’s
hydrophilicity and weakened the structure of pellet faster. The release of indometacin was partly based on the erosion of hydrated
matrix. The presence of HPMC in the pellets would require a mixed solvent to produce desirable shape. Incorporation of HPMC had
modified drug release from the pellets without further coating. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47924.