Staff Profile:Professor Elizabeth Williamson

Name:

Professor Elizabeth Williamson

Job Title:

Director, Pharmacy Practice

Responsibilities:

Prof Williamson is a registered pharmacist. She is involved with the quality control and legal status of herbal materials and is a member of the British Pharmacopoeia Commission which examines these issues. She is Chair of the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) for Herbal and Complementary Medicines, and Chair of the Veterinary Medicines Panel, which advise on quality standards for drugs produced by the pharmaceutical industry. She is Editor-in-Chief of the journal Phytotherapy Research, a Member of the Research Committee of the European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy, and advisor to the International Foundation for Science in Stockholm, Sweden. She has acted as a pharmaceutical consultant to the media, for example the BBC TV series 'Grow Your Own Drugs' and 'Victorian Pharmacy'

Areas of Interest:

Many patients take food or herbal supplements, and the safety and efficacy of these products is very important. Herbal medicines are complex mixtures of phytochemicals which may interact with each other in a synergistic manner and can also affect the action of prescription medicines. Current projects include investigating the effect of natural products on mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into osteoblasts, which is relevant to bone health and mineralization (in collaboration with Dr Katrina Bicknell), and looking at how and why patients take herbal medicines, and if this practice can pose a risk to health (in collaboration with Dr Rachel Howard).

 

Research groups / Centres:

Publications:

Y

Jump to: 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Number of items: 29.

2012

• Chan, K., Shaw, D., Simmonds, M. S.J., Leon, C. J., Xu, Q., Lu, A., Sutherland, I., Ignatova, S., Zhu, Y.-P., Verpoorte, R., Williamson, L. and Duez, P. (2012) Good practice in reviewing and publishing studies on herbal medicine, with special emphasis on traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese materia medica. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 140 (3). pp. 469-475. ISSN 0378-8741 doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.038
• Shaw, D., Ladds, G., Duez, P., Williamson, L. and Chan, K. (2012) Pharmacovigilance of herbal medicines. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 140 (3). pp. 513-518. ISSN 0378-8741 doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.01.051
• Uzuner, H., Bauer, R., Fan, T.-P., Guo, D.-a., Dias, A., El-Nezami, H., Efferth, T., Williamson, L., Heinrich, M., Robinson, N., Hylands, P. J., Hendry, B. M., Cheng, Y.-C. and Xu, Q. (2012) Traditional Chinese medicine research in the post-genomic era: good practice, priorities, challenges and opportunities. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 140 (3). pp. 458-468. ISSN 0378-8741 doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.028
• Heinrich, M., Barnes, J., Gibbons, S. and Williamson, L. (2012) Fundamentals of pharmacognosy and phytotherapy. 2nd edition. Elsevier, Edinburgh, pp326. ISBN 9780702033889

2011

• Saslis-Lagoudakis, C. H., Klitgaard, B. B., Forest, F., Francis, L., Savolainen, V., Williamson, E. M. and Hawkins, J. A. (2011) The use of phylogeny to interpret cross-cultural patterns in plant use and guide medicinal plant discovery: an example from Pterocarpus (Leguminosae). PloS ONE, 6 (7). e22275. ISSN 1932-6203 doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0022275
• Saslis-Lagoudakis, C. H., Williamson, L., Savolainen, V. and Hawkins, J. (2011) Cross-cultural comparison of three medicinal floras and implications for bioprospecting strategies. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 135 (17). pp. 476-487. ISSN 0378-8741 doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.044
• Upton, R., Graff, A., Jolliffe, G., Laenger, R. and Williamson, L., eds. (2011) American Herbal Pharmacopoeia : botanical pharmacognosy - microscopic characterization of botanical medicines. American Herbal Pharmacopoeia/CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp773. ISBN 9781420073263

2010

• Hill, A. J., Weston, S. E., Jones, N., Smith, I., Bevan , S., Williamson, E. M., Stephens, G. J., Williams, C. M. and Whalley, B. J. (2010) Δ9-tetrahydrocannabivarin suppresses in vitro epileptiform and in vivo seizure activity in adult rat. Epilepsia, 51 (8). pp. 1522-1532. ISSN 0013-9580 doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2010.02523.x
• Shah, P., Donyai, P. and Williamson, E. M. (2010) Students’ perception of the safety and value of a herbal vs. a conventional medicine for treating insomnia. International Journal of Pharmacy Practice, 17 (S2). B91-B92. ISSN 0961-7671 doi: DOI:10.1211/096176709789037155

2009

• Williamson, E.M. and Rankin-Box, D. (2009) Complementary therapies, the placebo effect and the pharmacist. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 15 (3). pp. 172-179. ISSN 1744-3881 doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2009.06.001
• Coats, A. and Williamson, E.M. (2009) Scientific deception: retraction of a fraudulent paper. International Journal of Cardiology, 131 (3). p. 297. ISSN 0167-5273 doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.10.037
• Williamson, L., Driver, S. and Baxter, K., eds. (2009) Stockley’s herbal medicines interactions : a guide to the interactions of herbal medicines, dietary supplements, and nutraceuticals with conventional medicines. Pharmaceutical Press, London, pp431. ISBN 9780853697602
• Williamson, E.M. (2009) Synergy and other interactions in phytomedicines. In: Evans, W.C. (ed.) Trease and Evans' pharmacognosy. Saunders Ltd., London, pp. 53-61. ISBN 9780702029332

2008

• Gulfraz, M., Mehmood, S., Ahmad, A., Fatima, N., Praveen, Z. and Williamson, E. M. (2008) Comparison of the antidiabetic activity of Berberis lyceum root extract and berberine in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Phytotherapy Research, 22 (9). pp. 1208-1212. ISSN 0951-418X doi: 10.1002/ptr.2438

2007

• Smith, E. C. J., Williamson, E. M., Wareham, N., Kaatz, G. W. and Gibbons, S. (2007) Antibacterials and modulators of bacterial resistance from the immature cones of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. Phytochemistry, 68 (2). pp. 210-217. ISSN 0031-9422 doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.10.001
• Wilkinson, J. D. and Williamson, E. M. (2007) Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis. Journal of Dermatological Science, 45 (2). pp. 87-92. ISSN 0923-1811 doi: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2006.10.009
• Scutt, A. and Williamson, E.M. (2007) Cannabinoids stimulate fibroblastic colony formation by bone marrow cells indirectly via CB2 receptors. Calcified Tissue International, 80 (1). pp. 50-59. ISSN 0171-967X doi: 10.1007/s00223-006-0171-7
• Weston, S.E., Whalley, B.J., Wilkinson, J.D. and Williamson, E.M. (2007) Medicinal cannabis: new findings on extracts and minor cannabinoids. In: Capasso, A. (ed.) Recent developments in medicinal plant research. Research Signpost, Trivandrum, Kerala, India, pp. 39-62. ISBN 9788130801605
• Putnam, S.E., Scutt, A.M., Bicknell, K., Priestley, C.M. and Williamson, E.M. (2007) Natural products as alternative treatments for metabolic bone disorders and for maintenance of bone health. Phytotherapy Research, 21 (2). pp. 99-112. ISSN 0951-418X doi: 10.1002/ptr.2030
• Williamson, E. M., Priestley, C. M. and Burgess, I. F. (2007) An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. Fitoterapia, 78 (7-8). pp. 521-525. ISSN 0367-326X doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2007.06.001
• Williamson, E. M. (2007) The medicinal use of essential oils and their components for treating lice and mite infestations. Natural Product Communications, 2 (12). pp. 1303-1310. ISSN 1934-578X

2006

• Rankin-Box, D. and Williamson, E.M. (2006) Complementary medicine: a guide for pharmacists. Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London. ISBN 9780443070280
• Priestley, C.M., Burgess, I.F. and Williamson, E.M. (2006) Lethality of essential oil constituents towards the human louse, Pediculus humanus, and its eggs. Fitoterapia, 77 (4). pp. 303-309. ISSN 0367-326X doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2006.04.005
• Weston, S. E., Williamson, E. M., Constanti, A., Stephens, G. J. and Whalley, B. J. (2006) Tetrahydrocannabivarin exhibits anticonvulsant effects in a piriform cortical brain slice model of epileptiform activity. In: British Pharmacological Society Winter Meeting 2006.
• Barnes, J., Barber, N., Wheatley, D. and Williamson, E.M. (2006) A pilot randomised, open, uncontrolled, clinical study of two dosages of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) herb extract (LI-160) as an aid to motivational/behavioural support in smoking cessation. Planta Medica, 72 (4). pp. 378-382. ISSN 0032-0943 doi: 10.1055/s-2005-916219

2005

• Elsabagh, S., Hartley, D.E., Ali, O., Williamson, E.M. and File, S.E. (2005) Differential cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba after acute and chronic treatment in healthy young volunteers. Psychopharmacology, 179 (2). pp. 437-446. ISSN 0033-3158 doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-2206-6
• Williamson, E.M. (2005) Interactions between herbal and conventional medicines. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 4 (2). pp. 355-378. ISSN 1474-0338 doi: 10.1517/14740338.4.2.355
• Smith, E., Williamson, E.M., Zloh, M. and Gibbons, S. (2005) Isopimaric acid from Pinus nigra shows activity against multidrug-resistant and EMRSA strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Phytotherapy Research, 19 (6). pp. 538-542. ISSN 0951-418X doi: 10.1002/ptr.1711

2004

• Whalley, B. J., Wilkinson, J. D., Williamson, E. M. and Constanti, A. (2004) A novel component of cannabis extract potentiates excitatory synaptic transmission in rat olfactory cortex in vitro. Neuroscience Letters, 365 (1). pp. 58-63. ISSN 0304-3940 doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2004.04.044

This list was generated on Sun May 27 04:43:49 2012 BST.

Full papers and reviews

The phenolic diterpene totarol inhibits multidrug efflux pump activity in Staphylococcus aureus. Smith ECJ, Kaatz GW, Seo SM, Wareham N, Williamson EM, Gibbons S (2007) Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 51(12) 4480-4483

Cannabinoids inhibit human keratinocyte proliferation through a non-CB1/CB2 mechanism, and have a potential therapeutic value in the treatment of psoriasis. Wilkinson JD, Williamson EM (2007) Journal of Dermatological Science 45 87-92

The medicinal use of essential oils and their components for treating lice and mite infestations. Williamson EM (2007) Natural Product Communications 2 (12):1303-1310

An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. Williamson EM, Priestley CM, Burgess IF (2007) Fitoterapia 78: 521-525

Cannabinoids stimulate fibroblastic-colony formation by bone marrow cells indirectly via CB-2 receptors. Scutt AM, Williamson EM (2007) Calcified Tissue International 80(1):50-9

Natural products as treatments for metabolic bone disorders and for maintenance of bone health. Putnam SE, Scutt AM, Bicknell K, Priestley CM, Williamson EM (2007) Phytotherapy Research 21 (2):99-112

Antibacterials and modulators of bacterial resistance from the immature cones of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana. Smith ECJ, Williamson EM, Wareham N, Kaatz GW, Gibbons S (2007) Phytochemistry 68:210-217

A pilot randomised, open-label, clinical study of two dosages of St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.) herb extract (LI-160) as an aid in smoking cessation. Barnes J, Barber N, Wheatley D, Williamson EM (2006) Planta Medica 72:378-382

In vitro lethality of essential oil constituents towards the human louse, Pediculus humanus, and its eggs. Priestley CM, Burgess IF, Williamson EM (2006) Fitoterapia 77:303-309

Interactions between Herbal and Conventional Medicines. Williamson EM (2005) Expert Opinion in Drug Safety 4(2):355-378

Isopimaric acid from Pinus nigra shows activity against multi-drug resistant EMRSA strains of Staphylococcus aureus. Smith ECJ, Williamson EM, Zloh M, Gibbons S. (2005) Phytotherapy Research 538-548

Differential cognitive effects of Ginkgo biloba after acute and chronic treatment in healthy young volunteers. Elsabagh S, Hartley, Ali O, Williamson EM, File SE (2005) Psychopharmacology 179:437-446

A novel component of cannabis extract potentiates synaptic transmission in rat olfactory cortex in vitro. Whalley BJ, Wilkinson JD, Williamson EM, Constanti A (2004) Neuroscience Letters 365(1):58-63

Thymol, from thyme essential oil, is a positive allosteric modulator of human GABA-A receptors and a homo-oligomeric insect GABA receptor from Drosophila melanogaster. Priestley CM, Williamson EM, Wafford KA, Sattelle DB (2003) British Journal of Pharmacology 140(8):1363-1372

Drug Interactions between Herbal and Prescription Medicines. Williamson EM (2003) Drug Safety 26(15):1073-1092

Medicinal Cannabis: is Δ9-THC responsible for all its effects? Wilkinson JD, Whalley BJ, Baker D, Pryce G, Gibbons S, Constanti A, Williamson EM (2003) J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 55(12):1687-1694

Books

Medicinal Cannabis: New Findings on Extracts and Minor Cannabinoids. Weston SE, Whalley BJ, Wilkinson JD, Williamson EM. Ch. 3 in: Recent Developments in Medicinal Plants Research. Ed Anna Capasso. Research Signpost 2008.

Alternative and Complementary Medicine, A Guide for Pharmacists. Rankin-Box D, Williamson EM; Elsevier 2006

Potter's Cyclopedia of Herbal Medicines, Williamson EM. Pub: C W Daniels, UK. 2003

Major Herbs of Ayurveda, Dabur Research Foundation; Williamson EM (Ed); Elsevier 2002

Fundamentals of Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Heinrich M, Barnes J, Gibbons S, Williamson EM; Elsevier 2003