• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.79-86
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to observe prevention of allergic reactions of Sweet Bee Venom (removing enzyme components from Bee Venom). Methods: Content analysis of Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom was rendered using HPLC method and characterization of Anti-Sweet Bee Venom in Rabbit Serum. Clinical observation was conducted for inducement of allergic responses to Sweet BV. Results : 1. Analyzing melittin content using HPLC, Sweet BV contained 34.9% more melittin than Bee venom pharmacopuncture at same concentration. 2. Observing chromatogram of HPLC, removal of the enzyme was successfully rendered on Sweet BV. 3. The anti-serum of Sweet BV showed high titers against melittin and bee venom and relatively low titer against phospholipase A2. 4. After conducting approximately 3,000 cases of Sweet BV administration, not a single case of generalized anaphylatic reaction occurred in clinical observation. 5. Mild compared to the bee venom pharmacopuncture, Sweet BV showed some acute hypersensitive reactions of edema, itchiness, and aching locally. 6. Sweet BV was administered on six patients with previous history of suffering from generalized acute hypersensitive reactions with the bee venom. None of the patients showed allergic reactions with Sweet BV, suggesting it can effectively prevent anaphylatic shock which may occur after the bee venom pharmacopuncture procedure. Conclusion : Summarizing above results, Sweet Bee Venom appears to be an effective measurement against allergic reactions from the bee venom pharmacopuncture especially against anaphylatic shock.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.68-76
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• 2003

Objective : In the pain control, Bee Venom Acupuncture therapy is highly effective but cause allergic side-effects frequently. This study was performed to compare Bee Venom(BV) with BV Partner(BVP) in decreasing side-effects of BV. Methods : BV partner(BVP) which dilutes the Morus bombycis Koiduzumi Herbal Acupuncture was developed to decrease the side effects of the Bee Venom. We used D.I.T.I. to verify the effectiveness of BVP in decreasing side-effect of BV. We injected BV to Group I (n=18) at 4 points of body [Fengmen(風門 : B12), Feishu(肺兪 : B13), Fufen(附分 : B41), Pohu(魄戶 : B42)], and BVP to group II (N=18) at the same points. We observed the chages of temperature at beginning, 5 minutes, 1 hour, 1 day, 2days and 7days after injection. Results : The following results were obtained; 1. The difference of temperature had been continued until 2days in BV group, but 1day in BVP group. 2. The difference of temperature was significantly greater than time at 1hour in BV and at 5 minutes in BVP. 3. Other side-effects(the local pain, redness, angioedema and pruritus) were less appeared in BVP than BV group, too.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a difference in acupuncture sensation depending on the bee venom pharmacopunctures. The study was designed to identify the intrinsic acupuncture sensation of the bee venom pharmacopunctures compared to saline. Methods Bee venom,(BV), Sweet bee venom(SBV), and normal saline were injected in order to the left of ST36 (Joksamni), ST37 (Sang-geoheo), right ST36 (Joksamni), ST37 (Sanggeoheo) each. The order of insertion of the BV, SBV, and normal saline was randomly assigned using a computerized random number table. The questionnaire used in this study was based on the Massachusetts General Hospital Acupuncture Sensation Scale (MASS). Results : BV and SBV was statistically significantly higher than saline in soreness, aching, distention, sharp pain and itchiness. Above this, BV was statistically significantly higher than saline in tingling and throbbing. And SBV was statistically significantly higher than saline in warmth. BV was statistically significantly higher than SBV in ichiness. Conclusion. BV and SBV were mainly strong, heavy, and gave a sharp feeling to the subjects. The results of the study can be used as references for future bee venom pharmacopunctures use. In addition, the results of the study can be used as basic data for clinical trials using bee venom pharmacopunctures.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2000

This study was designed to study on major components of various Bee Venom(Bee Venom by electrical stimulation in Korea; K-BV I, Bee Venom by Microwave stimulation in Korea; K -BV II, 0.5rng/ml, Fu Yu Pharmaceutical Factory, China; C-BV, 1mg /ml, Monmouth Pain Institute, Inc., U.S.A.; A-BV) using Electrophoresis. The results were summarized as follows: 1. In 1:4000 Bee Venom solution rate, the band was not displayed distinctly usmg Electrophoresis. But in 1: 1000, the band showed clearly. 2. The results of Electrophoresis at solution rate 1:1000, K-BV I and K-BVII showed similar band. 3. The molecular weight of Phospholipase $A_2$ was known as 19,000 but its band was seen at 17,000 in Electrophoresis. 4. Protein concentration of Bee Venom by Lowry method was different at solution rate 1:4000 ; C-BV was $250{wmu}g/ml,\;K-BV\;I\;was\;190{wmu}g/ml,\;K-BVII\;was\;160{wmu}/ml\;and\;C-BV\;was\;45{wmu}/ml5$. Electrophoresis method was unuseful for analysis of Bee Venom when solution rate is above 1:4000 but Protein concentration of Bee Venom by Lowry method was possible. These data from the study can be applied to establish the standard measurement of Bee Venom and prevent pure bee venom from mixing of another components. I think it is desirable to study more about safety of Bee Venom as time goes by.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.120-129
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• 2000

This study was designed to study on major components of various Bee Venom(Bee Venom by electrical stimulation in Korea; K-BV I, Bee Venom by Microwave stimulation in Korea; K-BV II, 0.5mg/ml, Fu Yu Pharmaceutical Factory, China; C-BV, 1mg/ml, Monmouth Pain Institute, Inc., U.S.A.; A-BV) using HPLC(High performance liquid chromatography). The results were summarized as follows : 1. HPLC method is useful for analysis of Bee Venom when solution rate is above 1:4000. 2. Analysis of Apamin using HPLC, the Retention time was 8.7min, and standard measurement curve was a function of y=4E+06x+21245. 3. Analysis of Melittin using HPLC, the Retention time was 29.0 min, and standard measurement curve was a function of y=4E+06x+23015. 4. Concentration of Melittin was about 297times than Apamin in K-BV I, and about 329times in K-BV II at same 1:500 solution rate, abnormally about 12 times in C-BV at 1:4000 solution rate. 5. Chinese Bee Venom using HPLC, the point from 5 to 7min(Retention time) showed a big extraordinary peak. These data from the study can be applied to establish the standard measurement of Bee Venom and prevent pure bee venom from mixing of another components. I think it is desirable to study more about safety of Bee Venom as time goes by.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-54
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• 2008

Objective : In this study, we investigated the effects of Sweet Bee Venom(SBV) and Bee Venom(BV) at a acupoint, HT7(Shinmun) on the Heart Rate Variability(HRV) in the healthy man. And we tried to observe how Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom affects on the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Methods : We investigated on 22 heathy volunteers consisted of 10 subjects in SBV group and 12 subjects in BV group. Study form was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. 22 subjects of each group were injected SBV and BV at HT7(Shinmun). And we measured HRV by QECG-3:LXC3203 (LAXTHA Inc. Korea) on 7 times : before and after injection per 5minutes during 30minutes. Results : 1. After SBV injection, Mean-RR was significantly high from 0 to 10 minutes, Mean-HRV was significantly low from to 10 minutes, SDNN was significantly high after 25minutes, Complexity was significantly high from 5 to 10 minutes and RMSSD was significantly high from 5 to 10minutes. 2. Complexity of SBV Group significantly decreased from 20 to 25minutes, RMSSD of SBV Group significantly increased from 10 to 15minute and from $20{\sim}25$minutes, SDSD of SBV Group significantly increased from 10 to 15 minute and from $20{\sim}25$minutes compared with that of BV group. 3. After SBV injection, Ln(VLF) was significantly from 25 to 30minutes. Conclusions : The results suggest that SBV in heathy adult man tend to activate the autonomic nervous system compared to BV within normal range.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.1
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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.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.4
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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 Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the antifungal effect of bee venom (BV) and sweet bee venom (SBV) against Candida albicans (C. albicans) clinical isolates. Methods: In this study, BV and SBV were examined for antifungal activities against the Korean Collection for Type Cultures (KCTC) strain and 10 clinical isolates of C. albicans. The disk diffusion method was used to measure the antifungal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays were performed by using a broth microdilution method. Also, a killing curve assay was conducted to investigate the kinetics of the anti-fungal action. Results: BV and SBV showed antifungal activity against 10 clinical isolates of C. albicans that were cultured from blood and the vagina by using disk diffusion method. The MIC values obtained for clinical isolates by using the broth microdilution method varied from $62.5{\mu}g/mL$ to $125{\mu}g/mL$ for BV and from $15.63{\mu}g/mL$ to $62.5{\mu}g/mL$ for SBV. In the killing-curve assay, SBV behaved as amphotericin B, which was used as positive control, did. The antifungal efficacy of SBV was much higher than that of BV. Conclusion: BV and SBV showed antifungal activity against C. albicans clinical strains that were isolated from blood and the vagina. Especially, SBV might be a candidate for a new antifungal agent against C. albicans clinical isolates.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.1
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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.