Aceclofenac loaded alginate microspheres were prepared by the Ionotropic gelation technique using CaCl2 as cross-linking agent. The process induced the formation of microspheres with the incorporation efficiency of 86% to 97%. The effect of Sodium Alginate, Carbopol, Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose, Chitosan concentration and curing time was evaluated with respect to entrapment efficiency, particle size, surface characteristics and In-vitro release behaviors. Infrared spectroscopic study confirmed the absence of any drug-polymer interaction. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis revealed that the drug was molecularly dispersed in the Alginate Microspheres matrices showing rough surface, which was confirmed by Scanning Electron Microscopy Study. The mean particle size and Entrapment Efficiency were found to be varied by changing various formulation parameters. The In-vitro release profile could be altered significantly by changing various formulation parameters to give a controlled release of drug from the microspheres. The release data from all the microspheres was found to fit in Power law of expression (Mt/M∞ = Ktn) and the mechanism of drug release changed from case-II (or) anomalous transport mechanism to non-fickian transport as the alginate was replaced in matrix with other polymer (or) coated with Chitosan. It is concluded that the release of the Aceclofenac could be prolonged using binary mixtures (or) coating alginate microspheres with Chitosan.
