• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27-40
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• 2010

Background and Objective : Increasing interest in anti-aging and anti-wrinkling agents for the skin has triggered the recent outflow of researches and studies in this field. This study was designed to investigate the effects of bee venom on skin wrinkling and skin aging by testing the skin wrinkling, skin elasticity, trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), free radical level, anti-oxidative agent level, and skin tissue after infusion of bee venom on hairless mouse. Materials and Methods : Fifteen hairless mice aged between 36~40 weeks were divided randomly into 3 Group; the Bee Venom Syringe Group, the Bee Venom Needle Group, and the control group. The Bee Venom Syringe Group were injected subcutaneously with bee venom (0.1cc in total) using an insulin syringe on three spots in the lumbar spine (one spot on the center and two spots 1~2cm to the side bilaterally). The Bee Venom Needle Group were pricked with bee venom-smeared acupuncture needles on three longitudinal spots in the lumbar spine each 1cm apart, after which the needles were removed 10 minutes later. The Control Group did not receive any form of intervention. All procedures took place thrice a week for four weeks, during which the mice were allowed free access to water and fodder. The mice were measured and compared in the weight, skin wrinkling scale, skin elasticity, and TEWL before and after the experiment. After the experiment, blood samples were taken to measure the free radical and anti-oxidative agent level, and the skin tissue was sliced for examination. Data was analyzed using the SPSS program (ver 12.0). The ANOVA analysis was used to compare and contrast the three groups, and t-test for paired samples was used to evaluate skin-wrinkling before and after experiment. The cut-off p-value of significance was set at p<0.05. Results : 1. Administration of bee venom did not cause serious weight loss or gain. 2. Compared to the control group, the Bee Venom Syringe Group and the Bee Venom Needle Group both showed a decrease in skin wrinkling scale after intervention. Especially, the Bee Venom Syringe Group showed a significant decrease (p<0.05). 3. Compared to the control group, the Bee Venom Syringe Group and the Bee Venom Needle Group both showed an increase in skin elasticity. Especially, the Bee Venom Syringe Group showed a significant increase (p<0.05). 4. No significant change in TEWL was found in the mice in all the three groups before and after experiment. 5. Free radical level was normal in all 15 mice in all the three groups, and anti-oxidative agent was not significantly different across the three groups. 6. The Bee Venom Syringe Group, the Bee Venom Needle Group, and the control group did not show any significant difference in the thickness of epidermis and dermis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and skin wrinkling. The epidermis layer was relatively better preserved in the Bee Venom Syringe Group as compared to the Bee Venom Needle Group and the control group. Conclusion : Direct injection of bee venom on the hairless mouse using a syringe was found to improve wrinkling of the skin and increase skin elasticity but did not show effectiveness on skin dryness due to water loss. The bee venom appears to have suppressive effects on skin wrinkling, one of the symptoms of skin aging, through a process independent of suppression of free radicals or increase of anti-oxidative agent.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.39-54
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• 2006

Objectives : Herniation of Nucleus Pulpous (HNP) of Lumbar is one of the most common causes of low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture (BVA), and bee venom Pharmacopuncture (BVP) therapy for HNP. Methods : We separated 35 patients with HNP of L-spine into three groups; Acupuncture treated group, BVA treated group, and BVP treated group, and monitored for 30 days. 4 grades of recovery degree, score of Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were examined for comparison. Results : 1. Visual Analogue Scale of low back pain and radiating pain showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_2, VAS0_3 evaluations. 2. ODI of disability of daily activities showed significant decrease in BVA and BVP groups compared to the Acupuncture group at VAS0_1, VAS0_2, and VAS0_3 evaluations. 3. Compared to the Acupuncture group, BVA and BVP groups were improved in S.L.R.T and R.O.M of L-spine as confirmed by the physical examination. 4. Treatment efficacy was more apparent in acute cases as ODI was significantly lower than chronic cases. Conclusion : BVA and BVP therapies can be used in addition to the acupuncture therapy for highly effective treatment of HNP. Further clinical studies are required to verify these findings.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.78-91
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• 2002

Objective : This study was designed to investigate the anti-cancer effects of bee venom on melanoma in C57BL mice. Materials and Methods : For the induction of melanoma, C57BL mice were treated by DMBA(7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene). Each group of C57BL mouse was treated with DMBA $50{\mu}g$, $75{\mu}g$, $100{\mu}g$ respectively once a week for 15 weeks. Tumor generation in each group of 10 mice was observed. Cumulative curves were showed in the density and frequency of skin tumor generation. To know the effects of pre-treatment of bee venom on tumor generation by DMBA treatment(frequency of tumor generation), Each group of C57BL mouse was pretreated and treated with bee venom $5{\mu}{\ell}$, $25{\mu}{\ell}$, $50{\mu}{\ell}$ respectively once a week for 3 weeks, whereafter each mouse was treated with DMBA $100{\mu}g$ once a week for 15 weeks. Results and Conclusion (1) There was chemotherapeutic effect, but not chemopreventive effect. (2) Cpp32 activity was increased by $50{\mu}{\ell}$ bee venom treatment. (3) Bee venom treatment inhibited expression of cell-cycle regulating, growth-promoting genes such as c-Jun, c-Fos, and Cyclin Dl, and increased tumor suppressors p53 and p21/Wafl. (4) Bee venom treatment activated expression of a representative apoptosis-inducing gene Bax.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2002

Objective : The one of the main cause in back pain & sciatica is HNP of L-spine. This study is for taking data for the clinical application of Bee-Venom Acupuncture on HNP of L-spine. Methods : This clinical study was carried out 24 patients with HNP of L-spine, who had been admitted from March, 2001 to November, 2001. We devided the patients into two groups; One was an experimental group, treated by 2 methods-common acupuncture therapy and Bee-Venom Acupuncture. The other was an control group, treated only by common acupuncture therapy. Results and Conclusion : In an experimental group, there were 4 excellent cases (33.33%) and 5 good cases(41.67%). In an control group, there were 2 excellent cases (16.67%) and 5 good cases (41.67%). We thought that it needed to prove effects of Bee- Venom Acupuncture for efficient application by more clinical data from now.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2009

Objective: There is a case reports on treatment of elbow pain and dysfunction in patients diagnosed as Tennis elbow. We report the Bee venom Acupunure Theraphy about under using elbow pain and dysfunction in patients diagnosed as Tennis elbow got a good remedial value. Methods : The patients diagnosed as Tennis elbow and treated mainly with Bee venom Acupunture Therapy. Results & Conclusions : Symptoms of the patient such as elbow pain and dysfunction were improved after above treatments. So, it is suggested that oriental medical treatment(Bee venom) are effective on Tennis elbow.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2009

Objective : This is a clinical report about allergic rhinitis patients. Method : The two patients were treated by Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and needle acupuncture together from June 2007 to September 2007. Result : As using these treatments, all patients decreased in sneezing, rhinorrhea and nasal congestion notably. And further, all patients had no side effects. Conclusion : The results suggest that Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and needle acupuncture have an useful effect on allergic rhinitis patients.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.149-160
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• 2002

Objetive : To evaluate the effect of treatment for Heel Pain by using Bee-venom Acupuncture that is well known for anti-inflamatory effect and function of activating immunine system. Methods : We investigated 32 cases of patient with Heel Pain. From 1th November 2001 to 30th June 2002, 32 cases of patient with Heel Pain treated at the Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion of Kyung-won University Oriental Hospital were selected for two group. One group was treated by Bee-venom Acupuncture therapy (Bee-venom Acupuncture Group : BAG), the other group was treated by Common Acupuncture therapy (None Bee-venom Acupuncture Group : NBAG). Both group were composed of 16 patients. After treatment, we evaluated the effects per each group. Results : 1. In the distribution by sex & age : 5 cases were male, 11 cases were female in BAG. 10 cases were male, 6 cases were female in NBGA. Forty aged cases were the most in BAG. Thirty aged cases were the most in NBAG. 2. Assessment of treatment by therapeutic frequency : 14 cases(87.5%) were above "Fair" within 6 times in BAG, 7 cases(43.8%) were above "Fair" beyond 10 times. 3. Assessment of treatment : Excellent were 9 cases, Good 5 cases, Fair 2 cases in BAG, Excellent were 2 cases, Good 7 cases, Fair 2 cases, Poor 5 cases in NBAG. Therapeutic effect above "Fair" were 16 cases(100%) in BAG, 11 cases(68.8%) in NBAG. 4. Comparing BAG with NBAG by therapeutic frequency and assessment in Grade II state : 11 cases(91.7%) were above "Good" within 6 times in BGA, 3 cases (57.1%) above "Fair" beyond 10 times. 5. About average frequency of treatment in the distribution of Grade : Grade III was 5.3 times, Grade II 4.0 times in BGA, whereas Grade III 16.0 times, Grade II 8.4 times in NBGA. Conclusions : In the treatment of Heel Pain, the Bee-venom Acupuncture can be regarded as more useful method in the clinical practice, because it has comparatively shorter duration of treatment and is more effective.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.138-146
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• 2011

Objective : This study was performed to prove the effect of the oriental medical treatments on urticaria and angioedema caused from serum sickness reaction by bee venom. Method : We treated one case of urticaria and angioedema with oriental medical treatments such as 8 constitution acupuncture, herbal medicine, venesection therapy and facial pack therapy. We took pictures through the treatment to evaluate the improvement. Six items, itching, burning sensation, pain, wheal, redness, edema were used to diagnose urticaria and angioedema. Result & Conclusion : After treatments the urticaria and angioedema were improved. The symptom of itching, heating, pain, wheal, redness of whole body and facial edema disappeared.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.13-25
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• 2004

Objective : Herniation of Nucleus Pulpous(HNP) of Lumbar is the most important reason that causes low back pain. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of Bee-venom acua-acupuncture therapy for protrusion disc patients. Methods : To evaluate the effectiveness of Bee-Venom Acupuncture Therapy, 20 patients were treated by bee-venom acua-acupuncture therapy. To estimate the efficacy of treatment, we used Quardruple Visual Analog Scale(QVAS). Results : 1. As a objectivity treatment record, they test treatment record good 60%, fair 25%, excellent 15%. 2. After bee-venom therapy, pain rate changed from 8.25 to 2.15. 3. By the results which puts out the statistics in sex, a pain rate of male changed from 8.75 to 2.50, a pain rate of female 7.92 to 1.92. Intentional difference is none as a therapy. By the results which puts out the statistics in age, after forties changed from 7.78 to 2.22 and before forties changed from 7.90 to 1.92. By the results which puts out the statistics in disc herniation, pain rate of central type changed from 8.29 to 2.29, pain rate of left type changed from 8.20 to 1.40, pain rate of Right type changed from 8.00 to 4.00.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study is to show that there was a significant result in prescribing Herb remedy and Korean-Bee-Venom acupuncture and acupuncture & moxibustion therapy to Urinary incontinence patients due to Neurologic Bladder caused by Cauda equina syndrome after having an vertebrae lumbale operation. Method : The methods used in this study was observe the patient's subjective improvement, valuation of the bladder function and the change of the sensibility drop when Herb remedy and Korean-Bee-Venom acupuncture and acupuncture was applied. Results : When acupuncture and Korean-Bee-Venom acupuncture was both applied the function of Bladder changed from score 10 to 0 and the Grade of Urinary Incontinence changed from Grade III to 0 also with the sensibility drop. Conclusion : The results show that when using Umnungchon(SP9), Yangnungchon (GB34), Taedon(LR1), Kokkol(CV2) there was an effect to some degree to the Urinary incontinence patients but when Korean-Bee-Venom was acupunctured to Kwanwon(CV4) and Kihae(CV6) the effect increased. Further studies and examples for evidence are required.