1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, S.C.S.College of Pharmacy,

ABSTRACT: In the present study, spherical microbeads are able to prolong the release of Diclofenac sodium were prepared by ionotropic gelation method, using sodium alginate as the hydrophilic carrier in combination with HPMC, chitosan and pectin polymers as drug release modifiers in various proportions to overcome the drug related adverse effects, improve drug bioavailability in different GI tract conditions. Formulated microbeads were investigated for physicochemical properties and drug release potential. All investigated properties showed satisfactory results. While increase in concentration of sodium alginate and other polymer dispersion increased sphericity, size distribution, flow properties and mean diameter of microbeads No significant drug-polymer interactions were observed in FT-IR studies. The drug entrapment efficiency obtained in the range of 70.4 % to 95.2%. Increase in concentration of calcium chloride significantly affects the mean diameter but no appreciable change in morphology and release behavior. The shape and surface characteristics were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) using gold sputter technique. Particle size of both placebo and drug loaded formulations were measured by SEM and particle size distribution was determined by an optical microscope. The microbeads had a smoother surface and were found to be discreet and spherical in shape. The physical state of the drug in th