Elissavet Taka

Prof. Elissavet Taka

Aristorle University of Thessaloniki Department of Pharmacy

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 June 2020 in Pharmaceuticals
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ETElissavet Taka
Elissavet Taka
Christina KaravasiliChristina Karavasili
Christina Karavasili
Nikolaos BouropoulosNikolaos Bouropoulos
Nikolaos Bouropoulos
TMThomas Moschakis
Thomas Moschakis
DADimitrios Andreadis
Dimitrios Andreadis
DFDimitrios Fatouros
Dimitrios Fatouros
Effective pharmacotherapy during glaucoma treatment depends on interventions that reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) and retain the IOP lowering effect for sufficient time so as to reduce dosing frequency and enhance patient adherence. Combination anti-glaucoma therapy and dosage forms that increase precorneal residence time could therefore constitute a promising therapeutic intervention. The in-situ gel forming self-assembling peptide ac-(RADA)4-CONH2 was evaluated as carrier for the ocular co-delivery of timolol maleate (TM) and brimonidine tartrate (BR). The hydrogel’s microstructure and mechanical properties were assessed with atomic force microscopy and rheology, respectively. Drug diffusion from the hydrogel was evaluated in vitro in simulated tear fluid and ex vivo across porcine corneas and its effect on the treated corneas was assessed through physicochemical characterization and histological analysis. Results indicated that TM and BR co-delivery affected hydrogel’s microstructure resulting in shorter nanofibers and a less rigid hydrogel matrix. Rapid and complete release of both drugs was achieved within 8 h, while a 2.8-fold and 5.4-fold higher corneal permeability was achieved for TM and BR, respectively. No significant alterations were induced in the structural integrity of the corneas treated with the hydrogel formulation, suggesting that self-assembling peptide hydrogels might serve as promising systems for combination anti-glaucoma therapy.