• 대한약침학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.21-30
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• 2005

Objectives : To observe physiological anti-body effects of anti-BV, acute toxic response, measurement of $LD_{50}$, and the effects of anti-body were evaluated. Methods : $LD_{50}$ of Anti-Bee Venom were measured, and to analyze acute toxic responses, weight, and the anti-body effects various concentrations of Anti-BV were diluted and the survival rate was measured. Cell blood count (CBC), liver, spleen, and kidney pathologies were observed from the histological aspects. Results : Experiment was conducted to observe Anti-BV as the anti-body to the bee venom and the following results were obtained : 1.anti-BV was injected intraperitoneally and no toxic responses were witnessed. All of the experiment subjects stayed alive during the experiment, making $LD_{50}$ analysis impossible. 2.Anti-BV was injected intraperitoneally in mice and no significant weight changes were measured between the control group and the experiment groups. 3. Measuring the concentration dependent survival rate, the highest survival rate was at the concentration of $1.25{\times}10^2mg/kg$(1/2.000) for Anti-BV. 4. No particular results were shown in the CBC test. 5. Observation of changes in the organ tissues, Anti-BV was found to suppress blood stasis in the liver and inhibit necrosis of the cells. Conclusion : Above results suggest that Anti-BV doesn't cause any toxic responses in the body and works as an anti-body to the bee venom. Further studies must be followed to secure the findings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.121-131
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study was investigation how the bee venom(BV) prevents inflammation in human cell. Methods : we induced inflammation on human synoviocyte cell by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and sodium nitroprusside(SNP), treated the bee venom and melittin on this cell, surveyed the expression of Nisotric oxide(NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), Cyclooxygenease-2(COX-2), cytolic phospholipase $A_2(cPLA_2)$, Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$(NF-${\kappa}B$), and got below conclusions. Results : Compared with control 1. Expressions of LPS-induced $PGE_2$(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced PGE2(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 2. Expressions of LPS-induced NO(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced NO(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 3. Expressions of LPS-induced COX-2(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced COX-2(BV $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 4. Expressions of LPS-induced iNOS(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced iNOS(BV $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) were meanless by all dose. 5. Expressions of LPS-induced $cPLA_2$(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced cPLA2(BV 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 6. Expressions of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$(BV $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$) and SNP-induced NF-${\kappa}B$(BV 0.5, 1, $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin 5, $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$)were decreased significantly. 7. Expressions of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity (BV $1{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, melittin $5{\mu}g/m{\ell}$+ DTT 20mM) were decreased significantly. Conclusion : The bee venom treatments on synoviocyte showed significant changes in LPS and SNP induced NO, iNOS, COX-2, cPLA2, PGE2 and NF-${\kappa}B$, these results suggest that bee venom is effective to inflammations and establish the process of bee venom therapy, so we expect active use of bee venom to control the inflammation.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Objectives : To verify pain relief effects and allergy inhibitory action for the osteoarthritis of the knee joint in Sweet Bee Venom in which allergy causing enzyme is removed. Methods : We randomly allocated 30 participants to treatment group Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom. Outcomes on pain reduction were measured by 100mm VAS(Visual Analog Scale). And we recorded into details allergic responses during Pharmacopuncture treatment. Results : Whole body condition and pain rate through VAS measurement were improved significantly in 2 weeks. We could get difference in pain score of two Pharmacopuncture groups significantly in 2 weeks. Sweet BV group($0.1{\beta}mg/m{\ell}$) showed superior reduction in pain compared to the BV group($0.1{\beta}mg/m{\ell}$) significantly. And other allergic responses such as edema, itchiness, pain were significantly lower in the Sweet BV group.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.103-108
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• 2010

Objectives : This study is to report the percentage of localized itching which occurred, when we injected to patients with Sweet Bee Venom(Sweet BV). Methods : We investigated 374 patients who had injected with Sweet BV in our clinic from February 15. 2009 to April 30, 2010. We checked the number and percentage of patients who occured localized itching on injection area. Then we analyzed those according to times in treatment, the body parts of injection and treatment dosage. Results and Conclusion : Localized itching was lower by 1.60% in the first treatment with Sweet BV. However localized itching was 12.83% in the whole course of treatment, which showed a similar incidence of 13% in Bee Venom. Therefore it can be interpreted that Sweet BV may help suppress the immune responses such as itching in the initial treatment, but the occurrence of local immune responses of Sweet BV may be similar to that of Bee Venom in continued treatment. We suppose that we should be careful of the occurrence of local immune responses as Bee Venom at least until the fourth treatment in clinical application with Sweet BV, although localized itching did not occur in the first treatment. Also we should be careful of treatment with Sweet BV in body parts, such as wrist, hand, chest and abdominal, because the percentage of localized itching was relatively high in those parts.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.151-164
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effects on Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(KWOMAC), 36-ltems Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36), Visual Analog Scale(VAS) and Nine Point Scale between 'Intramuscular Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' and 'Intracutaneous Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' in knee osteoarthritis patients for 4weeks. Methods : All the voluntary subject were diagnosed as knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomly assigned either to two groups : Intramuscular bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment group(IM-BV group) or Intracutaneous bee venom herbal acupuncture treatment group(IC-BV group). The IM-BV group received bee venom herbal acupuncture intramuscularly on muscles closest to the pathologic site on ultrasonography. The IC-BV group received bee venom herbal acupuncture intracutaneously on $LE_{110}$, $LE_{201}$, $ST_{35}$, $ST_{36}$ and $LR_8$. Bee venom herbal acupuncture was applied twice a week for 4 weeks by an oriental medical doctor at Kyung-hee Oriental Medical Hospital. Both groups were checked of pathologic site by ultrasonography before treatment and follow up after four-week treatment. The patients were assessed by KWOMAC and SF-36 before and after four-week treatment. The changes in patients' pain was measured by VAS before treatment and after one-, two-, three- and four-week treatment. The patients' overall treatment outcome assesment was measured by Nine Point Scale after four-week treatment. Results : The results were as follows ; 1. The IM-BV group showed significant improvement on total, pain, stiffness and physical function in KWOMAC, and the IC-BV group showed significant improvement on total and physical function in KWOMAC after 4weeks compared to the pre-treatment. In KWOMAC, the IM-BV group showed more improvement on average compared to the IC-BV group, but there were no significant difference between two groups. 2. The IM-BV group showed significant improvement on VAS after one-week treatment. The IC-BV group showed significant improvement on VAS after two-week treatment. But there were no significant difference between two groups. 3. The IM-BV group showed significant improvement on physical functioning(PF) and bodily pain(BP) in SF-36, and the IC-BV group showed significant improvement on vitality(VT) and bodily pain(BP) in SF-36 after 4weeks compared to the pre-treatment. But there were no significant difference between two groups. 4. 88.2% of IM-BV group and 93.3% of IC-BV group graded their improvement as 'Fair' or better on Nine Point Scale. But there were no significant difference between two groups. Conclusions : This study suggests that in the treatment of knee osteoarthtitis patients, effects of 'Intramuscular Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' were not different from 'Intracutaneous Bee Venom Herbal Acupuncture' statistically. But both treatment showed effects on pain and physical function in knee osteoarthtitis patients.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.15-24
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• 2008

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate if Sweet Bee Venom(SBV) Therapy has the equal effect in comparison with Bee Venom (BV) Therapy on Chronic Lower Back Pain. Methods Clinical studies were conducted to 39 patients who were treated Chronic Lower Back Pain in Dept. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dongeui University from March 1 to June 30, 2008. Subjects were randomly devided into 2 groups : BV treated group(Group A, n=19), SBV treated group(Group B, n=20) In BV treated group(Group A), we treated patients with dry needle acupuncture and BV Therapy. In SBV treated group(Group B), we treated patients with dry needle acupuncture and SBV Therapy. All process of treatment were performed by double blinding method. 1. To estimate the efficacy of venom in controlling pain, we have checked Visual Analog Scale(VAS). 2. For evaluating functional changes of patients, we have checked Oswestry Lower Back Disability Questionnaire(ODI). 3. To estimate Itching which is the most prominent symptom of allergic reaction, we have checked Visual Analog Scale(VAS). Results 1. In controlling pain, the results of BV treated group(Group A) is more effective than that of SBV treated group(Group B). 2. In promoting function, the results of BV treated group (Group A) is more effective than that of SBV treated group(Group B). 3. In controlling itching, the results of SBV treated group(Group B) is more effective than that of BV treated group(Group A). Conclusions According to the study, SBV Therapy shows more effective result than BV Therapy in controlling itching. But BV Therapy is more effective than SBV Therapy in controlling pain and promoting function.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.61-73
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to assess anti-depressive effects of Bee Venom(BV) on an Animal Model of Depression induced immobility stress. Methods : There was 2 pre-experiments MTT(3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and Western blot test and 3 main experiments ; forced swimming test, tail suspension test and Y-maze task. Male rats were used for main experiment. The subject was divided into 4 groups(1. control group injected only saline, without immobility stress 2. Negative group injected saline after 2 hours immobility stress 3. Positive group injected Amitriptyline after 2 hours immobility stress 4. BV group injected Bee Venom after 2 hours immobility stress). Each group consisted of 6 rats. Forced swimming test, tail suspension test, Y-maze task were used to evaluate anti-depressive effect of Bee Venom. Results : In MTT assay, as the density of BV increased, the existence rate of primary neuronal cell increased. In Western blot test, the density of CREB and AKT was increasing as time went by. In forced swimming test, BV group showed immobility decreased more than Normal group and Positive group. In tail suspension test, Normal group and Positive group showed immobility decreased more than BV group. In Y-maze task, BV group showed immobility decreased more than Normal group, but Positive group showed immobility decreased more than BV group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Bee Venom may have anti-depressive effect on depression.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.7-11
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• 2015

Objectives: Bee venom (BV) is a complex mixture of proteins and contains proteins such as phospholipase and melittin, which have an effect on blood clotting and blood clots. The mechanism of action of honey bee venom (HBV, Apis mellifera) on human plasma proteins and its anti-thrombotic effect were studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-coagulation effect of BV and its effects on blood coagulation and purification. Methods: Crude venom obtained from Apis mellifera was selected. The anti-coagulation factor of the crude venom from this species was purified by using gel filtration chromatography (sephadex G-50), and the molecular weights of the anti-coagulants in this venom estimated by using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Blood samples were obtained from 10 rabbits, and the prothrombin time (PT) and the partial thromboplastin time (PTT) tests were conducted. The approximate lethal dose (LD) values of BV were determined. Results: Crude BV increased the blood clotting time. For BV concentrations from 1 to 4 mg/mL, clotting was not observed even at more than 300 seconds, standard deviations $(SDs)={\pm}0.71$; however, clotting was observed in the control group 13.8 s, $SDs={\pm}0.52$. Thus, BV can be considered as containing anti-coagulation factors. Crude BV is composed 4 protein bands with molecular weights of 3, 15, 20 and 41 kilodalton (kDa), respectively. The $LD_{50}$ of the crude BV was found to be $177.8{\mu}g/mouse$. Conclusion: BV contains anti-coagulation factors. The fraction extracted from the Iranian bees contains proteins that are similar to anti-coagulation proteins, such as phospholipase $A_2(PLA_2)$ and melittin, and that can increase the blood clotting times in vitro.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.31-38
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the components of the clinically used bee venom (BV) pharmacopuncture. Methods : Two kinds of bee venom pharmacopuncture (BV-I and II), three kinds of separate purification BV (SPBV) pharmacopuncture (SPBV-I, II, and III), and apitoxin were investigated in this study. We performed a component analysis of melittin, apamin, and phospholipase $A_2$ using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results :1. BV-I contained approximately 40% more melittin than BV-II did. 2. In the three separate purification BV pharmacopuncture, SPBV-I, SPBV-II, and SPBV-III, phospholipase $A_2$ content decreased remarkably. 3. The melittin content in SPBV-I increased by 5% compared to that in BV-I. 4. The amount of melittin in apitoxin was similar to that in SPBV-I. Conclusion : The compositions of the BV pharmacopuncture and separate purification BV pharmacopuncture changed depending on the collection method and concentration. Therefore, it is necessary to choose the most suitable BV for each specific medical treatment target. Furthermore, research into the composition of BV may be needed for its safe and effective use.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.225-230
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• 2016

Objectives: Mellitine, a major component of bee venom (BV, Apis mellifera), is more active against gram positive than gram negative bacteria. Moreover, BV has been reported to have multiple effects, including antibacterial, antivirus, and anti-inflammation effects, in various types of cells. In addition, wasp venom has been reported to have antibacterial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of BV against selected gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains of medical importance. Methods: This investigation was set up to evaluate the antibacterial activity of BV against six grams positive and gram negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Burkholderia mallei and Burkholderia pseudomallei. Three concentrations of crude BV and standard antibiotic (gentamicin) disks as positive controls were tested by using the disc diffusion method. Results: BV was found to have a significant antibacterial effect against E. coli, S. aureus, and Salmonella typhyimurium in all three concentrations tested. However, BV had no noticeable effect on other tested bacteria for any of the three doses tested. Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that BV inhibits the growth and survival of bacterial strains and that BV can be used as a complementary antimicrobial agent against pathogenic bacteria. BV lacked the effective proteins necessary for it to exhibit antibacterial activity for some specific strains while being very effective against other specific strains. Thus, one may conclude, that Apis mellifera venom may have a specific mechanism that allows it to have an antibacterial effect on certain susceptible bacteria, but that mechanism is not well understood.