Polymer-based Sustained Release Tablets of Vitamin C Using Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and Ethylcellulose and Their Dissolution Tolerances

Abstract

In this study, we developed sustained release tablets of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, AA) to establish dissolution tolerances and recommend appropriate formulations. We fabricated hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrix tablets (HTs) and ethylcellulose (EC)-pelletized tablets (ETs) using direct compression and/or fluidized coating. Along with three commercially available products for reference, we acquired the AA dissolution profiles of the prepared samples in 5% metaphosphoric acid aqueous solution to prevent the degradation of AA. We then compared the release patterns using the similarity factor (f2). The selected two formulations (HT7 and ET1) showed drug release within the limit of ±15% of the reference curve, followed by the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. We found that the range of dissolution tolerance for the sustained release formulation was 15-40% (1 h), 25-70% (3 h), 50-90% (5 h), and ≥80% (8 h)