• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.63-70
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• 2002

Objective: To evaluate the effects of bee venom acupuncture(BVA) on the rehabilitation and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients Methods: Patients with RA were treated with the BVA therapy twice a week for 3 months. Tender joint counts, swollen joint counts, morning stiffness, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate(ESR), C-reactive protein(CRP), patient global assessment, physician global assessment, Korean health assessment questionnaire(KHAQ) were estimated and analyzed before and after BVA therapy. Results: Tender joint counts, swollen joint counts, morning stiffness showed significant decrease after BVA therapy. But, as acute inflammatory reactants, ESR showed no significant difference and CRP showed significant increase after BVA therapy. Patient global assessment, physician global assessment, and KHAQ index showed significant improvement after BVA therapy. Conclusions: BVA therapy can improve rehabilitation and health-related quality of life in RA patients as well as clinical symptoms and signs. Further study is required in more population with large scale including acute inflammatory reaction of BVA therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1 s.29
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• pp.379-402
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• 1995

This study was performed to investigate the comparative effects of Apitoxin(0.1% bee venom 0.1cc) & Acupuncture therapy on the knee joint arthritis induced by 0.1% carrageenin solution at Rt. knee joint in rats. After carrageenin injection, the apitoxin was injected for two times (Experimental group I : 1 & 24hours later, Experimental group II : 48 & 72hours later) into the corresponding loci to Rt. $ST_{35}$(Group 3) & $EX-LE_4$(group 4) of the human body in rats. Acupuncture therapy was done same as above. And then the comparative effects of apitoxin and acupuncture therapy on the knee joint arthritis were estimated by the WBC count, RBC count, hemoglobin level, hematocrit level and ASO titer in serum. The results were summerized as follows : 1. The effects of apitoxin & acupuncture on WBC count showed remarkable decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in both experimental group I & experimental group II. There were not any statistical difference from apitoxin and acupuncture therapy by Duncan's multiple range test. 2. The effect of apitoxin on RBC count showed noticeable decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in both experimental group I & experimental group II. The acupuncture was not showed decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in both experimental group I & experimental group II. There were not any statistical difference from apitoxin and acupuncture therapy by Duncan's multiple range test. 3. The effects of apitoxin & acupuncture on hemoglobin level showed noticeable decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in both experimental group I & experimental group II. There were not any statistical difference from apitoxin and acupuncture therapy by Duncan's multiple range test. 4. The effect of apitoxin on hematocrit level showed noticeable decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in both experimental group I & experimental group II. The acupuncture was not showed decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in both experimental group I & experimental group II. There were not any statistical difference from apitoxin and acupuncture therapy by Duncan's multiple range test. 5. The effect of apitoxin on ASO titer showed noticeable decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group only in experimental group I. The apitoxin & acupuncture showed decrease at group 3 & group 4 as compared with the control group in experimental group II. There were significantly statistical difference from apitoxin and acupuncture therapy by Duncan's multiple range test. The effect of apitoxin showed slightly decrease as compared with the acupuncture therapy by Duncan's multiple range test.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.845-857
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• 2009

Background and Objectives : Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album coloratum agglutinin, VCA) and bee venom (BV) have been reported to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines in vitro and to show antitumor activity against a variety of tumors in animal models. However, the comparative effect of VCA and BV on the anti-cancer effect and mechanisms of action has not been determined. In this study, the effect in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep G2 cells, was examined. Methods : Cytotoxic effects of VCA and BV on Hep G2 cells were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in litro. The apoptotic cell death was then confirmed by propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. The mechanisms of action were examined by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. The involvement of kinase was examined in VCA or BV-induced apoptosis by using kinase inhibitors. Results : VCA and BV killed Hep G2 cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. Treatment of Hep G2 cells with VCA activated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) known as a marker of apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways including MAPK/ERK, p38 MAPK and JNK. BV also activated PARP-1, MAPK/ERK. and p38 MAPK but not JNK. The expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule, Bcl-X, was decreased by VCA treatment but not by BV. Finally, the phosphorylation level of ERM proteins involved in the cytoskeleton homeostasis was decreased by both stimuli. VCA-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by in the presence of JNK and p38 inhibitor, but BV only by p38 inhibitor. Conclusions : VCA-induced apoptosis is dependent on the activation of p38 and JNK. while BV-induced apoptosis is mediated by p38 activation in Hep G2 cells.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2014

This study was for the investigation of the stability of purified bee venom (PBV) during the treatment in the pH range from pH2 to pH9 for 24 hours, respectively. Changes of components and physiological functionalities in PBV were by evaluated silver staining, and melittin contents were measured by liquid chromatography. The antimicrobial activity against bacteria by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and effect of the cell regeneration were measured by 3-[4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay using human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell. The main proteins such as melittin and phospholipase $A_2$ showed no characteristic changes. The antimicrobial activity and effect of cell regeneration showed no difference from pH2 to pH9. From this study, we suggest that components and physiological functionalities of PBV against treated pH were kept stability at from pH2 to pH9.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2003

Objective : In order to study the effects of bee venom(BV) on the pain, edema, and acute inflammatory reactant of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) patients. Methods : Patients with RA who met the ACR(American College of Rheumatology) 1987 revised criteria for the diagnosis of RA were treated with the BV therapy twice a week for 3 months. Tender joint counts, swollen joint counts, Visual analog scale(VAS), morning in stiffness, ESR, C-reactive protein(CRP) were analyzed before and after BV therapy. Results : The results as follows: 1. Tender joint counts in patients after BV therapy were significantly lower than those before BV therapy($9.0{\pm}7.9$ vs $15{\pm}11.4$, p=0.002). 2. Swollen joint counts of the patients after BV therapy were significantly lower than those before BV therapy ($5.0{\pm}6.1$ vs $1.5{\pm}2.3$, p=0.001). 3. VAS in patients after BV therapy was significantly lower than before BV therapy($60.8{\pm}17.6$ vs $38.0{\pm}15.9$, p=0.000). 4. Duration of morning stiffness in patients after BV therapy was significantly reduced compared with that before BV therapy($119.1{\pm}112.6min$ vs $59.0{\pm}89.7min$, p=0.009). 5. ESR and CRP were not significantly changed before and after BV therapy, suggesting BV itself could make inflammatory reaction as well as therapeutic effect. Conclusions: BV therapy improved tender joint counts, swollen joint counts and duration of morning stiffness in this study, and further study is needed in log-term effect of BV therapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2012

Background : Interstitial cystitis is a disorder of the bladder characterized by urgency and frequency of urination, and pelvic pain. The cause of interstitial cystitis is not clear. Modern medical treatments include behavioral therapy, medication, intravesical infusion therapy, and surgical treatment, but the goal of treatment is based on symptom relief rather than a cure. According to a recent report, in an animal model, oriental medicine treatment, Yukmijihwang-tang improved the symptoms of interstitial cystitis. However, clinical studies and experimental research are lacking. Objectives : In this study, We investigated Chuknyojetong-tang, acupuncture, moxibustion and bee venom effect on interstitial cystitis. Methods : We targeted 25 patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis at the university hospital and treated them for more than one month. We used acupuncture, Chuknyojetong-tang, and bee venom. The effects were evaluated using ICSI and ICPI at the begin of treatment and at the end of treatment. Results : All of the 25 patients were female, average age was $53.3{\pm}13.5$ years, and the average month of disease-duration was $69.0{\pm}59.8$. The duration of treatment was $8.0{\pm}5.4$ months, and 60% of patients were improved. After treatment, we used correlation coefficient method, multiple regression analysis. ICSI difference increased as treatment period increased. ICPI difference increased as age decreased. Total difference also increased as treatment period increased. These results imply that treatment effect was improved. Conclusions : These findings suggest that oriental medicine therapy using Chuknyojetong-tang, acupuncture, moxibustion, and bee venom would be very effective on interstitial cystitis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.139-152
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• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the analgesic effect of bee venom (BV) Acupuncture into different treatment points, Chok-samni (ST36) and blank loci of the gluteal muscle and back. We investigated the changes in formalin-induced pain behavior according to the pretreatment with different concentrations of BV, thirty minutes before the formalin injection. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The formalin-induced pain behavior was suppressed by pretreatment with BV into Chok-samni (ST36) in a dose dependent manner. During the early phase, 0.08mg/kg of BV showed a statistically significant suppression in the formalin-induced pain behavior. Moreover, 0.008mg/kg, 0.016mg/kg, and 0.08mg/kg of BV, except 0.0016mh/kg of BV, had significant suppresive effects on the formalin-induced pain behavior during the late phase. Therefore, these data indicated that the suppressive effect of BV acupuncture on the formalin-induced pain behavior was stronger in the late phase rather than the early phase 2. In order to investigate the analgesic effect of BV acupuncture into different treatment points, the experimental animals were divided into three groups: Chok-samni (ST36) group, gluteal group and back group. In the Chok-samni (ST36) group, the formalin-induced pain behavior during all the phases was significantly reduced as compared with that of the back group. However, as compared with that of the gluteal group, the formalin-induced pain behavior in the Chok-samni (ST36) group was decreased only in the late phase, not in the early phase. The formalin-induced pain behavior in the gluteal group was significantly reduced as compared with that of the back group in the late phase, not in the early phase. We suggested that the analgesic effect of BV acupuncture into Chok-samni (ST36) was most effective among Chok-samni (ST36), gluteal, and the back groups in formalin-induced pain behavior.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.119-138
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• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the bee venom(BV) aqua-acupuncture on the neuronal activities of serotonergic(5-HT) system in the brainstem. After the BV aqua-acupuncture was applied on Chok-Samni(ST36) and the gluteal part(Blank locus) in rats, the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons was counted by using computerized image analyzing system. Also, the number of colocalization between 5-HT containing neurons Fos immunoreactive neurons were analyzed by using the double immunohistochemical technique. The results of the experiments were summarized as follows : 1. In almost every neucli, the Chok-Samni group and Blank locus group showed more increase in the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons than the control group. Especially, in Arc, DR, LC, RMg, Gi, PAG Rost and PAG LV, the Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the control group. Also, in PAG LV Mid and Arc, Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group. 2. In DR and PAG LV Mid, Chok-Samni group and the Blank locus group showed more significant increase in the number of colocalization between 5-HT containing neurons and Fos immunoreactive neurons than the control group after the BV aqua- acupuncture. Also, the Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group. Consequently, the BV aqua-acupuncture increased more potent the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons and the activity of serotonergic neurons. Furthermore, the BV aqua-acupuncture was more effective on Chok-Samni than Blank locus group. These results indicate that the BV aqua-acupuncture is very effective therapy to control pain. The therapeutic effect of BV aqua-acupunture may associated with the endogenous modulatory system such as serotonin Those data from the study can be applied to establish the effective treatment of the BV for pain control in the clinical field.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.54-62
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• 2020

Objectives : Acute low back pain syndrome causes pain and poor quality of life. There are various studies of SBV (Sweet bee venom) pharmacopuncture, but few have identified the therapeutic effects for patients unable to walk due to acute back pain. This case series report three cases of acute low back pain syndrome treated with SBV pharmacopuncture combined with Korean Medicine (KM) treatments. Methods : Three acute low back pain syndrome patients with no other acute abnormalities in the imaging were treated by KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture, acupuncture, cupping, herbal medicine and physical therapy. The improvement of symptoms was evaluated using Numerical rating scale (NRS), Oswestry disability Index (ODI), EuroQol-5 dimension index (EQ-5D) and EuroQol-visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS). Results : Patients who were unable to walk due to acute back pain were able to walk. There were significant improvements of NRS, ODI, EQ-5D and EQ-VAS after treatment. The patients experienced an average 90% decrease in low back pain after inpatient KM treatment for about 8 days. NRS decreased by an average of 78.9%, ODI decreased by an average of 49.4%, and EQ-VAS increased by an average of 92.6%. In the case 1, EQ-5D decreased in all categories, but in the case 2, it decreased in all categories except for pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression, but in the case 3, it decreased in all categories except anxiety/depression. There was no serious side effect after treatment of SBV pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : KM treatments including SBV pharmacopuncture may be effective for acute low back pain syndrome patients. However, randomized controlled trials are needed in the future to confirm the clinical effects of these interventions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2019

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the clinical safety of Bee Venom (BV) pharmacopuncture at craniofacial acupuncture points. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 108 patients diagnosed with peripheral facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, or facial spasm who were admitted to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital at Gangdong, from April 1st, 2017 to August 30th, 2017. Patients were allocated into either, Group 1 (the non-allergy group of patients who did not have an allergic reaction to BV) or Group 2, the group who had allergic reactions to BV. To evaluate the clinical safety of BV pharmacopuncture after each treatment, several criteria were used to measure any side effects: outcome, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events scale, Mueller HL scale, treatment decision after adverse reaction, causality, measures performed for patients with adverse reactions, and efficacy assessment. Results: BV pharmacopuncture delivered in 0.1-0.2 mL at a concentration of 1:30,000 at the craniofacial acupuncture points, showed no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between non-allergy Group 1 and allergy Group 2. Amongst the 108 patients, 11 reported side effects after BV pharmacopuncture treatment. These adverse events included rash (n = 7), pruritus (n = 5), swelling (n = 1), vesicles (n = 1), erythema (n = 1), and hives (n = 1). All side effects resolved without sequelae. Conclusion: In this study, BV pharmacopuncture delivered at low doses at the craniofacial acupuncture points, resulted in 10% of patients experiencing non serious side effects suggesting that BV pharmacopuncture was clinically well tolerated.