• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.61-77
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• 2006

Objectives : Sweet bee venom is made by removing allergen from the bee venom through gel filtration chromatography and propionic acid/urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The aim of this study was to verify allergy inhibitory action in Sweet Bee Venom in which the allergy causing enzyme is removed. Methods : 95 healthy adult men and women were selected through a survey whom had never received the bee venom therapy in the past. The concentration of bee venom pharmacopuncture and Sweet BV pharmacopuncture was equally at 0.1mg/ml and the experiment was conducted as the double blind test. Experiment groups were classified into low dosage groups(0.1ml for both bee venom pharmacopuncture and Sweet BV) and high dosage groups where 0.4ml of respective administrations were rendered made observations for allergic responses. Results : Participants of the study was comprised of 71 men and 24 women with the average age of 29.0 years. According to results of the low dosage groups, Sweet BV group showed significant reduction in pain after 4 hours and 24 hours compared to the bee venom pharmacopuncture group. Other allergic responses were insignificant between the groups. For the high dosage groups, Sweet bee venom group showed reduction in pain after 30 minutes and 4 hours. Other allergic responses such as edema, itchiness, dizziness from hypersensitivity, and fatigue were significantly lower in the Sweet bee venom administered group after 30 minutes. Conclusions : As a result of removed allergen, Sweet bee venom significantly inhibits allergic responses both locally and throughout the body. This indicates wider and easier application of Sweet bee venom for the symptoms applicable to the bee venom pharmacopuncture. Further comparative studies should be conducted to yield more objective verification.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.4
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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.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.109-117
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• 2001

Objective : There has been no known report on the pain shock after administering Korean bee-venom therapy. Three accounts of pain shock were observed at the Sangji university affiliated Oriental medicine clinic from July 2001 through September 2001. This thesis will inform clinical progression and cautions on administering Korean bee-venom therapy. Methods: We were able to witness different patterns of pain shock during the treatment of degenerative knee joint, progressive oral paralysis, and A.L.S. In order to reduce heat toxicity of the bee venom, needling points were first massaged with the ice for 10 minutes before injecting $0.1{\sim}0.2cc$ of the bee venom. Points of injection were ST36, LI11, LI4 and others. Pain shock occurred after injecting on inner xi-an, outer xi-an and LI4. The phenomena associated with pain shock was recorded in chronological order and local changes were examined. Results: Through examining 3 patients with the pain shock, we managed to observe clinical progression, duration, and time linked changes on specific regions. We also managed to determine sensitive needling points for the pain shock. Conclution: Following results were obtained from 3 patients with the pain shock caused by Korean bee-venom therapy from July 2001 to September 2001. 1. Either positive or negative responses were shown after the pain shock. For case 1, extreme pain was accompanied with muscular convulsion and tremble, ocular hyperemia, delirium, stiffening of extremities, and hyper ventilation which all suggest positive responses. For case 2 and 3, extreme pain was accompanied with facial sweating, asthenia of extremities, pallor face, dizziness, weak voice, and sleepiness which are the signs of negative responses. 2. The time required to recover to stable state took nearly an hour (including sleeping time) and there was no side effect. 3. Precautions required to prevent the pain shock includes full concentration from the practitioner, accurate point location, precise amount of injection, physiological condition and psychological stability of the patient 4. Coping with the pain shock should be similar with a needle shock, and since extreme pain is accompanied, sufficient psychological rest must be provided. 5. Pain shock occurs because the patient cannot tolerate stimulation on the needling point. Thus, symptoms were similar to the needle shock in addition to excruciating pain. Further investigation and research must be done to have better understanding of an immune response and the pain shock associated with Korean bee-venom therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.209-216
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• 2015

Objectives : The objective of this study was to report two cases that patients with external epicondylitis were improved by based on 'eight vacuity' theory bloodletting therapy, acupuncture therapy and bee venom pharmacopuncture. Methods : In this study, patients were treated with bloodletting therapy, then acupuncture therapy and bee venom pharmacopuncture to Ashi point on eight vacuity of elbow in the patients without retention of needles. Subsequently, electroacupuncture and Dong-qi acupuncture treatment were implemented in order to strengthen the effect of acupuncture. In terms of evaluation methods, visual analog scale(VAS) score, range of motion(ROM), grip strength and physical examination were used to assess external epicondylitis-related symptoms. Results : VAS score decreased, ROM and grip strength were increased and physical examination was improved in all cases. Conclusions : It was suggested that the symptoms of intractable external epicondylitis could be improved by eight vacuity theory adopted bloodletting therapy, acupuncture therapy and bee venom pharmacopuncture.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.135-151
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• 2009

Objectives : To survey concept, meaning, and problems of beekeeper's bee sting therapy by reviewing and summarizing outline, indications, and clinical cases of 'Research on Bee Sting Therapy' described in Monthly Yangbonggye. Methods : As a narrative review, literature researches were carried out based on 'Research on Bee Sting Therapy' in Monthly Yangbonggye in the aspects of outline, indications, and clinical cases. In the concrete, outline was just summarized and described, and indications were categorized by recent version of international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems(ICD) of WHO(World health organization), and clinical cases were collected and summarized from the viewpoint of acupoints and methods of therapy. Results : 1. Bee sting therapy is to inject venom into skin by stimulating affected lesions or acupoints on meridian with sting of bee alive for therapeutic purposes. It can be divided into two classes(direct stimulation(直針法) and indirect stimulation(拔針法)) by the differences of methods, and is different from bee venom acupuncture therapy in the aspects of the way of extraction and injection. 2. In this material, bee sting therapy has 83 indications classified into 17 of 22 chapters of ICD. Among clinical cases, cases on neoplasm, goitre, lump, and haemorrhoids by direct stimulation were especially outstanding. 3. The therapeutic acupoints selected in bee sting therapy are mainly Ashi points(阿是穴), and partly acupoints on meridian(經穴), Extra points(經外奇穴), and New points(新穴) with careful consideration of patients' condition. Conclusions : Although bee sting therapy has more or less controversial points of diagnosis, treatment, and management of side effects, it is thought that the accumulated and inherited experiences from old times can be used as meaningful material by further experimental and clinical researches.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.101-106
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• 2004

Objective : The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Bee Venom Acua-Acupuncture Therapy to the patient of Pes Anserine Bursitis by using DITI. Patient & Methods : The patient was 60-year-old woman who complained severe knee pain. She was treated by bee venom acuaacupuncture therapy. To estimate the efficacy of tratment, we used DITI, visual analog scale, knee joint check(ROM). Results : In this case, we treated patient of Pes Anserine Bursitis for 28 days. bee venom acua-acupuncture therapy efficiently relieved patient's pain and improved ROM. DITI and Visual analog scale also showed significantly valuable changes.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.201-213
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Bee-venom therapy for Cervical radiculopathy patients. Methods : To evaluate the effectiveness of Bee-venom therapy, 14 patients were treated by Bee-venom therapy. To estimate the efficacy of treatment, we used Quardruple Visual Analog Scale (QVAS), JOA score and Odom's degree. Results & Conclusions : 1. As a objectivity treatment record, they test treatment record excellent(7 case) 50%, good(4 case) 28.57%, fair(,3 case) 21.43%. 2. After Bee-venom therapy, pain rate changed from 8.82 to 3.25.(p=0.000) 3. After Bee-venom therapy, JOA score changed from 11.00 to 12.79.(p=0.000) 4. By the results which puts out the statistics in sex, age, existence of finger numbness and disc type, the pain rate is not significantly difference as a therapy. (p<0.05) 5. By the results which puts out the statistics in sex, age and disc type, the JOA score is not significantly difference as a therapy.(p<0.05) But by the results which puts out the statistics in existence of finger numbness the JOA score is significantly difference as a therapy.(p=.025) There was reports about Bee-venom therapy of the Patient with Cervical radiculopathy. It is very effective to reduce the pain and increase the JOA score.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.141-160
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• 2006

The obtained results are summarized as follows 1. New findings are reporting year by year as for the study related to Anti-inflammatory mechanism of Bee Venom therapy. 2. The Anti-inflammatory effect of Bee Venom therapy is achieved through counterirritation, stimulations to adrenal cortex, immuno-regulation, antioxidation, removal of free radicals, modulation of AGP gene induction. 3. The chief components of Bee Venom related to Anti-inflammatory effect are Melittin, MCD peptide, Apamin, Adolapin etc. 4. Melittin binds to secretory phospholipase A2 and inhibits its enzymatic activity. 5. Melittin blocks neutophil O2-production. 6. MCD peptide(Peptide 401) stimulates the mast cell secrets histamine, Anti-inflammatory effect caused by this is 'conterirritation'. 7. Melittin & Apamin have an anti-inflammatory effect by inducing cortisone secretion. 8. MCD peptide & Apamin increase immunologic fuction by stimulating hypophysis & adrenal cortex and have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting synthesis of prostaglandin from arachidonic acid. 9. Adolapin have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting COX. 10. Bee Venom have an anti-inflammatory effect by suppressing AGP($\alpha$-acid glycoprotein). 11. Bee Venom have an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting NO, iNOS, PLA2, COX-2, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1, NF-${\kappa}B$, MAP kinase.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus(HNP) of Lumbar is the most important that causes low back pain. The aim of this study is to compare several therapies about Lumbar spine Hearniated Nucleus Pulposus in oriental Medecine which are Bee-venom Acpuncture and Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture. Methods: Subjects of this research were 60 inpatients complaining Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus, and who were diagnosed as bulging disc, disc protrusion or extrusion with CT & MRI. 20 patients in each, 3 groups; Acpuncture therapy only, Bee-venom Acpuncture, and Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture, were divided and the conclusions for treatment are as follows. Results : 1. Regarding alleviation of pain by VAS, Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture Group III showed significant decrease of VAS in the early period of admission(5days), while Bee-venom Acpuncture Group II showed higher score of VAS compared to Acpuncture therapy only Group I. 2. On contrary, in the latter period of admission($5{\sim}9days$), Bee-venom Acpuncture Group II showed significantly higher rate of improvement than the other groups. 3. On the 9th admission day, Bee-venom Acpuncture Group II and Ouhyul Herbal Acpuncture Group III showed higher improvement than Acpuncture therapy only Group I. Between group II and III, Group II showed higher improvement rate. Conclusions : In this study, there were different effects among three groups according to period of treatment. Further study on various traatment for Herniation of Nucleus Pulposus required.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.41-50
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to compare the effects of Shinbaro pharmacopuncture therapy and bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy in lumbar disc herniation Methods : We compared treatment efficacy of 12 patients with Shinbaro pharmacopuncture therapy and 10 patients with bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy, all of whom were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation using computed tomography(CT) or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). We performed a retrospective comparison and analysis during the course of 21 days since admission. To evaluate the treatment efficacy, we recorded the temperatures of the opposite back, hip, and legs with visual analog scale(VAS, back and legs), pain rating scale(PRS), Oswestry disability index(ODI) and digital infrared thermal imaging(DITI) based on patients' medical records. Results : Both treatments were effective in reducing pain and improving functions for lumbar disc herniation patients in terms of VAS, PRS, ODI, DITI. Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group showed slightly better results than the bee venom pharmacopuncture group, but the difference was not significant. Conclusions : For the treatment of lumbar disc herniation, it is suggested that Shinbaro pharmacopuncture therapy is thought to be as effective as bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy without side effects, although further study would be necessary.