In an attempt to improve material properties used for oral administration, which is restricted by fast dissolution in the stomach, chitosan hydrogels were coated with cellulose dissolved in ionic liquid. Using insulin as a model compound, the properties of these cellulose-coated microparticles for the controlled release of drug were investigated. The results showed that the coated microparticles were more stable than those which were uncoated at low pH and suitable for oral delivery without requiring any harmful and sophisticated cross-linkage treatment. Keywords Chitosan, hydrogels, cellulose, drug release.