• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of Shinbaro pharmacopuncture treatment and bee venom pharmacopuncture treatment on cervical disc herniation and whiplash injury induced by traffic accident. Methods : This study was carried out on the 59 patients with whiplash injury by traffic accident and diagnosed as cervical disc herniation. The patients were divided into 2 groups ; Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group was treated with Shinbaro pharmacopuncture along with herbal medicine and general acupuncture. Bee venom pharmacopuncture group was treated with bee venom pharmacopuncture along with herbal medicine and general acupuncture. We measured verbal numerical rating scale(VNRS) and neck disability index(NDI) before the treatment and 1, 2, 3 weeks afterwards. Results : Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group and Bee venom pharmacopuncture both showed significant decrease in VNRS and NDI. Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group showed significant decrease over Bee venom pharmacopuncture group in VNRS decrement in the first week, while Bee venom pharmacopuncture group showed significant decrease over Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group in the secone week of treatment. Conclusion : According to the result of this study, it is suggested that Shinbaro pharmacopuncture group is more effective in reducing pain in the earlier period of treatment. Also suggests that further study on the effect of Shinbaro pharmacopuncture on patients diagnosed as cervical disc herniation after traffic accident for longer period of treatment.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.269-273
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• 2017

We investigated whether purified bee venom increases the enzymatic activity of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). ADH and ALDH assay were tested by in vitro kits. The purified bee venom was assayed by ultra performance liquid chromatography, The contents of melittin, apamin and phospholipase A2, as main component of purified bee venom, were 63.9%, 2.3%, and 10.9%, respectively. The ADH and ALDH acitivity of purified bee venom(at 1mg/ml) were $88.6{\pm}7.34%$ and $94.6{\pm}0.57%$, respectively compared with positive control at 2mg/ml. These results showed that purified bee venom induces the activity of ADH and ALDH which reduce the aldehyde concentration in the blood, suggesting the possibility of purified bee venom as resource of medicine or functional beverage for hangover relieving.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2021

The venom of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) is used to treat many diseases because of its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Bee venom consists of several biologically active molecules and exhibits remarkable anti-cancer effects. However, biological amines, which exhibit diverse functionality such as anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, have not been previously reported in bee venom. In this study, we determined the content of putrescine in bee venom by using ultra-performance liquid chromatography. The specificity, accuracy, and precision of the assay were assessed, and the assay validated. The linearity of the putrescine assay was r ≥ 0.99, indicating a moderate level of putrescine in the bee venom. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were both 0.9 ㎍/mL, while the rate of recovery was 96.4%-99.9%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of the intra-day precision and inter-day precision of the putrescine assay were 0.16% - 0.23% and 0.09% - 0.36%, respectively, with the RSD ≤ 5% indicating excellent precision. Thus, the linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, and recovery rate of the putrescine assay were satisfactory. The analysis of the bee venom showed that the putrescine content was 3.1 ± 0.09 mg/g. This study provides fundamental data on putrescine content in bee venom, which will prove useful in further studies of its bioactivity.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.53-57
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• 2016

This study was performed to examine the skin phototoxicity of purified bee venom (Apis mellifera L.) collected using bee venom collector. To confirm whether the gel containing purified bee venom (BV gel) causes photototoxicity when used for the skin medicinal products, phototoxicity testing was conducted using guinea pig models. The BV gel (0.1 ml/site) was administered transdermally to guinea pigs. 8-MOP was used to introduce positive control response. After administration, the guinea pigs were irradiated with UVA ($15J/cm^2$) with doses based on standard phototoxicity study guidelines. In the weight measurement and clinical observation, BV gel groups didn't show any significant changes compared with control group. BV gel groups did not show any symptoms such as erythema and edema formation of skin. This study demonstrated that BV gel has promising potential external treatment for topical uses that do not induce significant levels of skin phototoxicity.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.125-144
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• 2016

Objectives : About 13% of the medicines used by traditional korean medicines(TKM), are called animal medicines and are derived from non-herbal sources such as animals and insects. However, the clinical use of these preparations from animal medicines is often based on tradition and belief, rather than on evidence of toxicity and efficacy. As a result, animal medicines containing toxin have caused serious problems from injecting patients with venom. Here, various venoms frequently used as TKM were reviewed in terms of their instinct toxity and tried to estimate their safety classification. Methods : The estimation of safety classification was based on human equivalent dose(HED)-based MOS (margin of safety) and clinical dose applied for patients. Results and Conclusions : Except that of snake venom due to no clinical dose, they were evaluated as class 3 for bee venom, class 4 for cantharidin, toxin from blister beetle, and class 1 for venom from scolopendrid. In conclusion, animal medicines showed a wide range of safety classification from class 1 to class 4. This wide range is estimated to result from extremely limited applications of each venom for patients because of their strong toxicity. However, it should be cautious for application in clinics since animal medicines can produce anaphylactic reactions particularly after veinous administration even with a tiny amount of venom.

• 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 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 Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.145-149
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• 1999

This study was designed to examine therapeutic effect of natural honeybee (Apis mellifera) venom in pigs with arthritis. Pigs were assigned to treated and nontreated control groups. In treated group, 51 pigs were given natural honeybee venom once a day for 5 consecutive days. Acupoints of Sam-li, Jok-su and Pal-ja were stung by the natural honey bees. In control group, 46 pigs were intramuscularly injected with a standard dosage of penicillin G (400,000 IU/kg of body weight) once a day for 5 consecutive days. On day 5 following bee venom therapy, 73.9% of control pigs and 86.2% of pigs in treated group recovered from arthritis. Bee acupuncture therapy did not show any side effects such as allergy, intoxication, hemorrhage, or infection. It might be concluded that honeybee venom therapy was effective in controlling of pig with arthritis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.149-159
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• 2000

Bee-venom Acupucture has good effect on pain control but We may be anxious about the problem of side-effect. Bee-venom components are composed of phospholipase $A_2$, hyaluronidase, melitin, apamin, MCD peptide, citrate and so on. Especially Apamin, MCD peptide and histamine cause severe reacting that is named Anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a clinical syndrome characterized by the acute system reaction of multiple organ systems to an IgE-mediated immunologic mediator release in previously sensitized individuals. Respiratory and dermatologic manifestations are the most commonly expressed clinical features of anaphylaxis, and a majority of anaphylactic reactions initially appear to be localized to these two systems. Anaphylatic reaction of bee-venom are expressed clinically ulticaria, itching sensation, erythema, dizziness, nausea, hypotension and so on. Especially ulticaria and erythema are end points of increased vascular permeability and vasodilatation at the other extreme of the clinical spectrum, Gastrointestinal mucosal edema and smooth muscle contraction can result in cramping abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Therefore, we have observed anaphylatic reaction of bee-venom in 11 patients, who visited WonKwang University Kunpo Oriental Medical Center, treated bee venom. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The patient distribution ratio, in regard to sex, was shown to be 1 : 2.67 for male to females. In regard to age, it was shown that people in their 30's was the most predominant case, followed by people in their 20's, 30's, 50's and 60's, respectively. 2. When Anaphylaxis was occured, it was observed to abnormality of CBC, LFT, IgE, IgG. 3. In regard to patient condition, it was observed that fatigue was most frequent. 4. In regard to the number of times and quantity of bee venom inj., it was observed that anaphylaxis is most frequent at 7-10 times(1.6-2.0cc) 5. In regard to duration of reaction, it was observed that people in their l0min' was most frequent. In disappearing duration of anaphylaxic reaction, The results showed under 60min lcases(9%), 60-120min 7cases(64%) and 180-240min 3cases(27%). 6. In symptoms of anaphylaxis, The results showed hypotension 8cases(19%), itching sensation 7cases(16%), nausea 4cases(9%), erythema 4cases(9%) and dizziness 4cases(9%). In mentality, The results showed drowsy 8case(73%) and alert 3cases(27%). 7. Generally, patients were treated with Avil, Dexa IM and PDS, peniramine, cimetidine, Q-zyme per os after H/S, N/S inj. $O_2$ was supplied according to patient's symptom. In 1 severe case, Dopamine was iv injected.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.145-153
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• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of HWANGRYUNHAEDOKTANG Pharmacopuncture and Essential Bee Venom pharmacopuncture on cervical pain caused by traffic accident. Methods The clincal study was conducted to traffic accident patients who had admitted to Dae-Jeon University Cheonan Oriental Hospital from May 17, 2014 to September 2, 2014. The patients were simple randomization and divided into two groups. In one group, patients were treated with the oriental medicine and HWANGRYUNHAEDOKTANG Pharmacopuncture, While in the other group, patients were treated with the oriental medicine therapy and Essential Bee Venom pharmacopuncture therapy. visual analogue scale (VAS), pain threshold and neck disablity index (NDI) were used To estimate the efficacy of Pharmacopuncture treatment. Results 1) HWANGRYUNHAEDOKTANG Pharmacopuncture Group showed significant decrease of VAS and NDI after 3rd times treatment than before treatment (p<0.001). Essential Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture showed significant decrease of VAS, NDI and improve ment of pain threshold after 3rd times treatment than before treatment (p<0.01, p<0.001). 2) There was no significant difference between HWANGRYUNHAEDOKTANG Pharmacopuncture group and Essential Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture group in VAS, pain threshold and NDI. Conclusions We found out that HWANGRYUNHAEDOKTANG Pharmacopuncture and Essential Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture treatment are considered to be effective and useful in cervical pain caused by traffic accident.