• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2001

Objective: This study was done to observe the effects on the thermal changes and side effects of Bee Venom acupuncture. The objectives are as follows; If there are remarkable local thermal changes between pre and post Bee Venom acupuncture therapy on D.I.T.I. or not. If there are those, we examine how long it' s changes are maintained, what is the adequate interval on Bee Venom acupuncture therapy, and what the reactions in a local or whole body are on that therapy. Methods: To study the local thermal changes in Bee Venom acupuncture therapy, D.I.T.I. was used. Determination of this analysis periods are pre and post-therapy(5 minutes, 1 hour, 1day,2days, 3days, 5days and 7days later). The study group was divided into two groups. One was BV group(N=19), another was NS(Normal Saline) group. The Bee Venom acupuncture was injected by 0.2ml divided into 0.05ml at the Fengmen(風門:12), Feishu(肺兪:B13), Fufen(附分:B41), Pohu(魄戶: B42) 4 points. Then, in order to analyze the clinical form, we have observed responses of 23 students whenever we checked the thermal changes of their after performing. Results: The following results were obtained. 1. In BV group, there was a significant dermatothermal difference between pre and post therapy. That difference was most remarkable in post-therapy 1 hour to lday, and was not remarkable in post-therapy 5-7days later. 2. There was no significant dermatothermal changes at NS group, but BV group had remarkable changes between operated and non operated area in post-therapy 1hour, 1day, 2days. But there was none 7 days later. 3. Among the physical reactions after Bee Venom acupuncture therapy, operated-area pain, itching, pain on moving and fatigue sign most appeared until post-therapy 3days. Itching and fatigue sign appeared until post-therapy 7days. 4. In comparison the dermatothermal changes with the physical reactions, the decrease of { CT = (Rt Temperature -Lt. Temperature) / Rt. $Temperature{\times}100$} and the disappearance of physical reactions were about the same.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.368-376
• /
• 2023

Background: Although bee venom (BV) has clinical benefits in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, it has not been tested as treatment for gouty arthritis. Moreover, in vitro, BV has been proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory and positive effects on osteoarthritis, but only limited evidence can confirm its beneficial effects on gout. Thus, this study aims to assess the anti-inflammatory effects of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced THP-1 monocytes. Methods: THP-1 monocytes were differentiated into mature macrophages using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and pretreated for 6 hours with BV and a Caspase-1 inhibitor in a physiologically achievable range of concentrations (BV, 0.1-1 ㎍/mL; Caspase-1 inhibitor, 1-10 μM), followed by MSU crystal stimulation for 24 hours. The secretions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-6, IL-8, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and nitric oxide (NO) were increased in the MSU crystal-stimulated THP-1 cells. Results: Caspase-1 inhibitors suppressed the production of all mediators in a dose-dependent manner. BV worked on equal terms with Caspase-1 inhibitors and showed more satisfactory effects on TNF-α, PGE2, COX-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Moreover, the western blot analysis revealed that BV regulated the transcriptional levels of these mediators via the suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway activation. Conclusion: The results of the present study clearly suggest that BV inhibits MSU-induced inflammation in vitro, suggesting a possible role for BV in gout treatment.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.35-50
• /
• 2003

In order to study the effect of Bee venom(BV) on the subarachnoid hemorrhage animal model, the autologous whole blood was applied to the vicinity of the sprague dawley rat right femoral artery. Following periarterial application of autologous whole blood(PAB) and intraperitoneal injection of BV(1:5,000 nd 1:500), the vasomotor responses to BV(from 1:500,000 to 1:500) were identified and the histological changes, neovascularized blood vessel were observed. We have shown that alterations in vasomotor and histological findings are elicited following application of periarterial blood and i.p. injection of BV(1:5,000 and 1:500) induced heavy vasospasm and neovascularization on the subarachnoid hemorrhage like model form peripheral artery.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.117-127
• /
• 2006

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of neurodegenerative disease associated with aging in the human population. This disease is characterized by the following 4 structural changes : Atrophy of the Cortex, Parasympathetic, and other neural cells, the existence of Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and the accumulation of Senile plaques. NFTs and Senile plaques is known to be the index of this disease. Senile plaques disturbs the neutro transmission and depletes of Acetylcholine. So, Recovery of Acetylcholine is the primal objective for treating Alzheimer's disease. So, Inhibiting the activity of Acetylcholine Esterase (AChE), which causes the hydrolysus of acetylcholine into choline and acetate, can be seen as a key role for treating Alzheimer's disease. Increasing body of evidence has been demonstrated that Bee Venom Acupuncture (BV) could compete with complex protein involving in multiple step of $NF-_{\kappa}B$ activation and exert the anti-inflammatory potential of combined inhibition of the prostanoid and nitric oxide synthesis systems by inhibition of IKK and $NF-_{\kappa}B$. BV dose-dependently attenuated Scopolamine-induced Acetylcholine esterase activities in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the mice brain. This study therefore suggests that BV acupuncture method may be useful for prevention of development or progression of AD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.80-87
• /
• 2019

Background: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom (BV) through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa beta ($NF-{\kappa}B$) expression in macrophages and keratinocytes. Methods: Cell viability assays were performed to investigate the cytotoxicity of BV in activated macrophages [lipopolysaccharide (LPS)] and keratinocytes [interferon-gamma/tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha}$)]. A luciferase assay was performed to investigate the cellular expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in relation to BV dose. The expression of $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitors ($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and p50 and p65) were determined by Western Blot analysis, and the electromobility shift assay. A nitrite quantification assay was performed to investigate the effect of BV, and $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor on nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages. In addition, Western Blot analysis was performed to investigate the effect of BV on the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) in activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Results: BV was not cytotoxic to activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Transcriptional activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$, and p50, p65, and $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ expression was reduced by treatment with BV in activated macrophages and keratinocytes. Treatment with BV and an $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor, reduced the production of NO by activated macrophages, and also reduced $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity in activated keratinocytes (compared with either BV, or $NF-{\kappa}B$ inhibitor treatment). Furthermore, BV decreased p38, p-p38, JNK, and p-JNK expression in LPS-activated macrophages and $IFN-{\gamma}/TNF-{\alpha}$-activated keratinocytes. Conclusion: BV blocked the signaling pathway of $NF-{\kappa}B$, which plays an important role in the inflammatory response in macrophages and keratinocytes. These findings provided the possibility of BV in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.65-87
• /
• 2000

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the bee venom(BV) aqua-acupuncture on the neuronal activities of catecholaminergic(tyrosine hydroxylase : TH, dopamine ${\beta}$ hydroxylase : D${\beta}$H) system in the brainstem. After the BV aqua-acupuncture was applied on Chok-Samni(ST36) and the gluteal part(Blank locus) in rats. Also, the number of colocalization between catecholamine containing neurons and Fos immunoreactive neurons were analyzed by using the double immunohistochemical technique. The results of the experiments were summarized as follows : 1. In DR and LC, Chok-Samni group and the Blank locus group showed more significant increase in the number of colocalization between TH containing neurons and Fos immunoreactive neurons than the control group. Furthermore, Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group. Also, in Arc, Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group and the control group. 2. In LC, Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase in the number of colocalization between D${\beta}$H containing neurons and Fos immunoreactive neurons than the Blank locus group and the control group. Also, in A5, Chok-Samni group and the Blank locus group showed more significant increase than the control group. Chok-Samni group showed more significant increase than the Blank locus group. However, there was no significant change in A7. Consequently, the BV aqua-acupuncture increased more potent the number of Fos immunoreactive neurons and the activity of catecholaminergic 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 catecholamine. Those data from the study can be applied to establish the effective treatment of the BV for pain control in the clinical field.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.33-50
• /
• 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 Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.59-62
• /
• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.6
• /
• pp.187-193
• /
• 2004

Objective : This study was performed to examine the Magnetic therapy decrease the allergic reaction of Bee Venom. Methods : We injected BV to sample group(n=10) and control group(n=10) at 2 points of body, and also sample group was treated with Magnetic therapy additionally. We observed the change of local pain, pruritus, color difference value at 1 hour, 24 hours after injection. Results : Local pain, pruritus and color difference value of sample group were more decreased than control group. Conclusions : The Magnetic therapy decreased allergic reaction of Bee Venom.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.1-9
• /
• 2017

Objectives : We investigated the synergistic effects of bee venom (BV) and natural killer (NK) cells on B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis mediated by IL-4. Methods : We performed a cell viability assay to determine whether BV can enhance the inhibitory effect of NK-92MI cells on the growth of B16F10 melanoma cells, and western blot analysis to detect changes in the expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and other apoptosis-related proteins. EMSA was performed to observe the activity of STAT6. To confirm that the inhibitory effect of BV and NK cells was mediated by IL-4, the above tests were repeated after IL-4 silencing by siRNA (50 nM). Results : B16F10 melanoma cells co-cultured with NK-92MI cells and simultaneously treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) showed a higher degree of proliferation inhibition than when treated by BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$) alone or co-cultured with NK-92MI cells alone. Expression of IL-4, $IL-4R{\alpha}$, and that of other pro-apoptotic proteins was also enhanced after co-culture with NK-92MI cells and simultaneous treatment with BV ($5{\mu}g/ml$). Furthermore, the expression of anti-apoptotic bcl-2 decreased, and the activity of STAT6, as well as the expression of STAT6 and p-STAT6 were enhanced. IL-4 silencing siRNA (50 nM) in B16F10 cells, the effects of BV treatment and NK-92MI co-culture were reversed. Conclusion : These results suggest that BV could be an effective alternative therapy for malignant melanoma by enhancing the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of NK cells through an IL-4-mediated pathway.