• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.91-102
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was done to determine the effect of Korean medical treatment to patient diagnosed as cauda equina syndrome(CES) suffering from both lower limb dysesthesia, saddle dysesthesia, buttock dysesthesia, dysuria, dyschezia and gait disturbance. Methods : A patient with CES was treated with acupuncture, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine from February 2 to April 9 at Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Daejeon Korean Hospital of Daejeon University. Patient received acupuncture treatment($CV_1$, $CV_3$, $CV_4$, $CV_6$, $ST_{36}$, $BL_{31}$, $BL_{32}$, $BL_{33}$, $BL_{34}$) 12 times a week, bee-venom pharmacopuncture($BL_{23}$, $BL_{28}$) was conducted twice a week, herbal medicine(Samilsingihwan decoction) was applied to patient thrice a day for nine weeks. The following symptoms were observed saddle, and lower limb dysesthesia, dysuria, dyschezia and gait disturbance. Results : After treatment, dysesthesia, dysuria, dyschezia and gaiting developed good outcome. But anal reflex remained still. Conclusions : Acupuncture, bee-venom pharmacopuncture, herbal medicine combined treatment might be effective to patients with CES.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.85-92
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effect between method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture on peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : We investigated 30 cases of patient with peripheral facial paralysis who visited at Dept. of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, of Oriental Medicine Dong-eui University from November 29, 2010 to May 15, 2011. Subjects were divided randomly into two groups, group A and group B. We applied method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire twice or three times a week for group A and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture with same cycle for group B. We measured the effect of treatment to each group five times by using Yanagihara's unweighed grading system. at first examination, after 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks. Results : Both groups showed significant improvement in Yanagihara's scores. And group A was improved better than group B for two weeks from the first examination significantly. But after one week from then, the Yanagihara's scores of group B were higher than those of group A significantly. There were no significant differences during other period. Conclusions : Method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire is more effective than sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture on peripheral facial paralysis during acute period. And after acute period, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture is more effective than method of regulating ascending kidney water and descending heart fire.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.35-44
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effect between needle-embedding therapy and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy on early stage of peripheral facial paralysis. Methods : We investigated 60 patients with peripheral facial paralysis. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups and dropped out 20 patients. : needle-embedding therapy group(group A, n=20, dropped out 9 cases among 29 cases) and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy group(group B, n=20, dropped out 11 cases among 31 cases). needle-embedding therapy was performed for group A three times a week dividing face into three areas during 4 weeks and Sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy was performed for group B two or three times a week during 4 weeks. To evaluate the effect of treatment applied for two groups, we used Yanagihara's unweighed grading system and House-Brachmann grading system at before treatment, after one week from visit, two weeks from visit, three weeks from visit, and four weeks from visit. Results : After treatment, Yanagihara's score and House-Brachmann grading system were improved in each group except during first week. But there was no significant difference in improvement between group A and group B. Conclusions : Needle-embedding therapy would be as effective to improve symptoms of early stage of peripheral facial paralysis as sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture therapy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.173-176
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• 2020

Sweet bee venom (SBV) causes less hypersensitivity reactions compared with whole bee venom. To determine the appropriate SBV initial dose for pharmacopuncture treatment of lower back pain, the initial dose, and the dose which caused hypersensitivity were retrospectively reviewed between January 1^st, 2017 and December 31^st, 2019. There were 523 first-visit patients who received SBV pharmacopuncture for lower back pain and 41 showed hypersensitivity. No systemic reactions were observed and localized reactions were not severe. Hypersensitivity was observed during the first (7 cases), and fifth treatments (8 cases). An initial SBV (10%) volume of 0.1 mL was used in 2 cases, 0.2 mL in 6 cases, 0.6 mL in 41 cases, and 1.2 mL in 474 cases. The hypersensitivity rate during the first and fifth treatment was 1.34% and 1.53%, respectively. As a result, 1.2 mL of SBV was considered the acceptable initial dose. However, for safer treatment, we recommend limiting the initial dose of SBV to 0.5 mL.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.254-263
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• 2010

Objectives : The neuroprotective effects of bee venom (BV) have been demonstrated in many studies, but bee venom has many side effects. So we used sweet bee venom (SBV), which has high molecular elements removed to reduce the side effects. I examined the neuroprotective effect of sweet bee venom in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine ($MPP^+$)-induced human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods : To observe the possible toxicity of SBV itself, SH-SY5Y cells were treated with SBV in various concentrations for 3 h and $MPP^+$ in concentrations (1 and 5mM) for 24h. To investigate the protective effect of SBV against $MPP^+$ toxicity, SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with vehicle or nontoxic concentrations of SBV for 3h and the cells were not washed, followed by incubation with respective concentrations of SBV and 1 mM $MPP^+$ for 24h. To investigate the protective effect of SBV against $MPP^+$ toxicity, SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with vehicle or nontoxic concentrations of SBV for 3h and the cells were not washed, followed by incubation with respective of SBV(0.5%), 1 mM $MPP^+$, 5uM AKT inhibitor(LY984002) and 10uM ERK inhibitor(PD98059) for 24 h. The protective effect was measured by cell viability assay. To investigate the degree of apoptosis, caspase-3 enzyme activity was measured in control, $MPP^+$, SBV+$MPP^+$. Results : SBV (0.5%) pretreatment protected the SH-SY5Y cells against $MPP^+$-induced apoptotic cell death. The cell viability was higher in the SH-SY5Y cells that were pretreated with vehicle or nontoxic concentrations of SBV than those not pretreated. The caspase-3 activity was lower in the pretreated groups than these not pretreated. ERK and AKT enzymes have a role in the neuroprotective effects of the sweet bee venom. Conclusions : The results demonstrate that SBV has a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons against $MPP^+$ toxicity. This data suggest that SBV could be a potential therapeutic tool for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease(PD).

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.33-50
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was conducted to confirm validation and stability of concentration analysis method of pure melittin (Sweet Bee Venom-Sweet BV) extracted from the bee venom by utilizing protein isolation method of gel filtration. Methods : All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech, a non-clinical studies authorized institution, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Standard solutions of melittin (SIGMA, USA) and test substances were dispensed and were analyzed with HPLC for Sweet BV to secure the validation of analysis. Results : 1. Measurement of system suitability of Sweet BV satisfied criterion of below 3%. 2. Confirming Linearity of Sweet BV in 10-200${\mu}g/m\ell$ solution yielded correlation coefficient (r) of 0.995 and accuracy of 85-115% which satisfy criterion. 3. Measurement of Specificity of Sweet BV didn't yield any substance affecting the peak of test substances, but detected at 21.22min verified as the test substance. 4. Confirming Intra-day of Sweet BV, accuracy and precision of 0.1, 100${\mu}g/m\ell$ were 105.70, 95.81 and 0.66, 0.73, respectively, satisfying both criteria of accuracy (85-115%) and precision (within 10%). 5. To measure Stability in autosampler, all samples used in Intra-day reproducibility sat in the autosampler for five hours and were re-analyzed. Both variability and precision satisfied the criteria. 6. Homogeneity of Sweet BV (0.1, 100${\mu}g/m\ell$) at upper, middle, and lower layers all satisfied the accuracy and precision criteria. 7. Stability of Sweet BV (0.1, 100${\mu}g/m\ell$) at room temperature for four hours and refrigerated for 7 days all satisfied the criterion. 8. For the measurement of Quality control, QC samples measured on the first and eighth day all satisfied accuracy and precision criteria. Conclusion : Above experiment data satisfies validation and stability of concentration analysis method of Sweet BV.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.89-97
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this report is to show that oriental medical treatments, chiefly using Sweet bee venom (SBV) are effective on symptom improvements and calcium removal in the patients diagnosed with calcific tendinitis in supraspinatus. Methods : We applied 0.3~0.6cc of SBV on $LI_{15}$ ($Gyeonu$) at a time and 0.1~0.2cc on each surrounding pressure point. In addition, we treated $Hwangryeonhaedok-tang$ pharmacopuncture on both acupoints of $GB_{21}$ ($Gyeonjeong$) with large intestine tonification of $Sa-Am$. Results : The symptoms improved within 3 weeks in case 1, 4 days in case 2, 5 weeks in case 3. The removal of calcium was detected by radiology at all cases. Conclusions : From the above results, it is considered that the oriental medical therapy including SBV is effective on the removal of calcium.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.15-46
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was performed to analyse the effects of Sweet Bee Venom(Sweet BV) on cardiovascular system in the conscious telemetered Beagle Dogs. Methods: All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech Company, a non-clinical studies authorized institution, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). Male Beagle dogs of 13-19 months old were chosen for the pilot study and surgical implantation was performed for conscious telemetered Beagle dogs. And after confirming condition of Beagle dogs was stable, Sweet BV was administered 4 times(first: 0.0 mg/kg, 2nd: 0.01 mg/kg, 3rd: 0.1 mg/kg, and forth: 0.5 mg/kg, one time/week) in thigh muscle of Beagle dogs. And blood pressure, heart rate, electrocardiography and clinical responses were measured. Equal amount of normal saline to the Sweet BV experiment groups was administered to the control group. Results: 1. In the analysis of body weight and taking amount, Beagle dogs did not show significant changes. 2. In the clinical observation, responses of pain and edema were showed depend on dosage of Sweet BV. 3. In the analysis of blood pressure, treatment with Sweet BV did not show significant changes in the dosage of 0.01 mg/kg, but in the dosage of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.5 mg/kg, treatment with Sweet BV increased blood pressure significantly. 4. In the analysis of heart rate, treatment of Sweet BV did not show significant changes in all dosage and period. 5. In the analysis of electrocardiography, treatment of Sweet BV was not showed significant changes in all dosage and period. Conclusion: Above findings suggest that Sweet BV is relatively safe treatment in the cardiovascular system. But in the using of over dosage, Sweet BV may the cause of increasing blood pressure. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.79-97
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• 2010

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in severe functional deficit. Bee venom acupuncture has traditionally been used to treat several inflammatory diseases and chronic pain conditions. Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the effects of bee venom (general bee venom, BV) and sweet bee venom (allergen-removed bee venom, SBV) acupuncture on the recovery rate of locomotor function, the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the sciatic nerve, and the expression of c-Fos in the brain following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats, and to evaluate differences due to administration areas. Method: Walking track analysis, Western blot for BDNF and tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB), and immunohistochemistry for c-Fos were performed. In this study, comparative analyses of the effects of BV and SBV acupuncture in relation to administration sites, contralateral side or ipsilateral side, were conducted. Results: In the present result, sciatic function index (SFI) in walking track analysis significantly decreased following sciatic crushed nerve injury. The expressions of BDNF and TrkB in the sciatic nerve increased after induction of sciatic crushed nerve injury. C-Fos expression in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) also increased. BV and SBV acupuncture treatment improved the SFI in walking track analysis. Treatment with SBV at 1mg/kg showed more potent enhancing effect on SFI compared to BV. Treatment with 1mg/kg BV or 1mg/kg SBV acupuncture suppressed the BDNF and TrkB expression in the sciatic nerve. BV and SBV acupuncture treatment also suppressed c-Fos expression in the PVN and vlPAG regions. Treatment with SBV at 1mg/kg showed more potent suppressing effect on c-Fos expression compared to BV when injected into the contralateral side of the injured nerve. Generally we could not find significant difference in the effects between contralateral side and ipsilateral side of the injured nerve. Conclusion: We have shown that BV and SBV acupuncture treatment can be used as the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of sciatic crushed nerve injury.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.59-62
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• 2015

Objectives: A previous study showed that bee venom (BV) could cause anaphylaxis or other hypersensitivity reactions. Although hypersensitivity reactions due to sweet bee venom (SBV) have been reported, SBV has been reported to be associated with significantly reduced sensitization compared to BV. Although no systemic immediate hypersensitive response accompanied by abnormal vital signs has been reported with respect to SBV, we report a systemic immediate hypersensitive response that we experienced while trying to use SBV clinically. Methods: The patient had undergone BV treatment several times at other Oriental medicine clinics and had experienced no adverse reactions. She came to acupuncture & moxibustion department at Semyung university hospital of Oriental medicine (Je-cheon, Korea) complaining of facial hypoesthesia and was treated using SBV injections, her first SBV treatment. SBV, 0.05 cc, was injected at each of 8 acupoints, for a total of 0.40 cc: Jichang (ST4), Daeyeong (ST5), Hyeopgeo (ST6), Hagwan (ST7), Yepung (TE17), Imun (TE21), Cheonghoe (GB2), and Gwallyeo (SI18). Results: The patient showed systemic immediate hypersensitive reactions. The main symptoms were abdominal pain, nausea and perspiration, but common symptoms associated with hypersensitivity, such as edema, were mild. Abdominal pain was the most long-lasting symptom and was accompanied by nausea. Her body temperature decreased due to sweating. Her diastolic blood pressure could not be measured on three occasions. She remained alert, though the symptoms persisted. The following treatments were conducted in sequence; intramuscular epinephrine, 1 mg/mL, injection, intramuscular dexamethasone, 5 mg/mL, injection, intramuscular buscopan, 20 mg/mL, injection, oxygen ($O_2$) inhalation therapy, 1 L/minutes, via a nasal prong, and intravascular injection of normal saline, 1 L. After 12 hours of treatment, the symptoms had completely disappeared. Conclusion: This case shows that the use of SBV does not completely eliminate the possibility of hypersensitivity and that patients who received BV treatment before may also be sensitized to SBV. Thus, a skin test should be given prior to using SBV.