Abstract: Low molecular weight chitosan (LMCS) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were introduced into Ca²⁺/sodium alginate gel system to prepare the composite gel beads by physical crosslinking method and the swelling properties and drug release properties were studied. Using matrine as a model drug, the drug release behaviors of the composite gels beads were investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results showed that the swelling rate of composite gel beads was 46 and swelling time was lasted for more than 24 h. The linear relationship between matrine mass concentration (3~60 μg/mL) and peak area value was good (r = 0.999 6). The average sample recovery was 101.34% and relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 2% in one day. After 48 h, the cumulative drug release rate of matrine was about 57%, which indicated that the composite gel beads had sustained-release effect on oral drugs.