Calcium alginate/gum Arabic beads containing glibenclamide: Development and in vitro characterization

► Calcium alginate/gum Arabic beads containing glibenclamide were prepared by ionotropic gelation method. ► The effects of amounts of sodium alginate and gum Arabic on drug encapsulation and drug release were optimized by central composite design. ► The optimized beads showed higher drug encapsulation and sustained drug release over 7 h of dissolution. ► The drug release followed first-order model over a period of 7 h with anomalous (non-Fickian) diffusion mechanism. ► These newly developed beads are suitable for sustained delivery of glibenclamide for prolonged period.