Acupoint Stimulation Using Bee Venom Attenuates Formalin-Induced Pain Behavior and Spinal Cord Fos Expression in Rats.

Abstract

ABSTRACT. In two previous reports, we have demonstrated that injection of bee venom (BV) into an acupoint produces a significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect in both a mouse model of visceral nociception and a rat model of chronic arthritis. Th e present study was designed to evaluate the potential antinociceptive effect of BV pretreatment on formalin-induced pain behavior and it associated spinal cord Fos expression in rats. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with BV directly into the Zusanli (ST36) acupoint or into an arbitrary non-acupoint located on the back. BV pretreatment into the Zusanli acupoint significantly decreased paw-licking time in the late phase of the formalin test. In contrast, BV injected into a non-acupoint in the back region did not suppress the paw-licking time. In addition, BV pretreatment into the Zusanli acupoint markedly inhibited spinal cord Fos expression induced by formalin injection. These findings indicate that BV pretreatment into the Zusanli acupoint has an antinociceptive effect on formalin-induced pain behavior. Bee venom (BV) from the honeybee consists of melittin, phospholipase A 2 , apamin, adolapin, mast cell degranulating peptide and several other bioactive substances [26]. Melittin and phospholipase A 2 , two major components of BV, are generally thought to play an important role in the induction of the irritation and allergic reaction associated with the bee stings. In this regard, intradermal injection of melittin produces a local hyperthermic effect in human [23]. Phospholipase A 2 is a membrane-associated phospholipid converting enzyme that is important in the production of arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid is further metabolized by one of two enzyme pathways into various prostaglandins (by cyclooxygenase) or leukotrienes (by lipooxygenase). Subcutaneous BV injection into plantar surface of the rat paw produces characteristic pain behaviors including paw licking and flinching [26] while BV administration in cats has been shown to produce prolonged and tonic nociceptive responses associated with changes in the firing of spinal cord neurons [7]. Chen and his colleagues have since published several reports that have elucidated some of the mechanisms underlying BV-induced nociception in rats and cats [7-13, 27, 28, 34, 35].In contrast to this recent focus on BV's nociceptive effects, Kwon and his co-workers have reported that longterm treatment with BV at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day produces a significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect on the Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats [24]. Although natural BV produces irritation when injected subcutaneously, injection of diluted BV, particularly into an acupoint, can reduce chronic nociception and inflammation. Thus Kwon et al. have shown that BV treatment into an acupoint can significantly reduce arthritisassociated edema and nociceptive responses [24]. In addition, BV injection into the Zhongwan acupoint significantly reduces the number of abdominal stretches induced by intraper...

The Antifungal Activity of Bee Venom against Dermatophytes

“…Bee venom from honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) has been utilized for centuries as a pain reliever, anti-coagulant and antiinflammatory agent for chronic diseases, such as Arthritis, Rheumatism, Tendonitis, Bursitis, Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis (Kwon et al, 2001;Kim et al, 2003;Peng et al, 2003;Han et al, 2007). Apitherapy which uses live honeybee stings has elucidated therapeutic value for piglets, calves and dairy cows with several respiratory diseases in Korea (Choi et al, 2003).…”

“…Two major components of bee venom, melittin and phospholipase A2, are generally thought to play an important role in the induction of irritation and allergic reaction associated with the bee stings (Kim et al, 2003). Melittin, a 26 amino acid polypeptide, has been known to have antibacterial effects (Eiseman et al, 1982;Akdis et al, 1996;Kwon et al, 2001).…”

Bee venom stimulates human melanocyte proliferation, melanogenesis, dendricity and migration

“…BV has been used clinically to control rheumatoid arthritis and to ameliorate pain via its antiinflammatory and antinociceptive properties (Kwon et al, 2001). BV also has been shown to have antibacterial effects (Eiseman et al, 1982;Akdis et al, 1996;Kwon et al, 2001), and has been used as a meridian therapy in Korea (Kim et al, 2003;Lee et al, 2004). Moreover, after treatment with BV, pigmentation around the injection sites was occasionally observed and the pigmentation lasted a few months (unpublished observation), suggesting that BV may have an effect on the melanocyte proliferation, melanogenesis, dendricity or migration responsible for the pigmentation.…”

Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of melittin in honeybee venom and drug products containing honeybee venom

“…It has been reported to have a marked effect on a variety of ailments, such as arthritis, rheumatism, cancerous tumors, pain, angiocardiopathy, multiple sclerosis, and skin diseases (Kwon et al, 2002;Kim et al, 2003;Park et al, 2004;Russel et al, 2004;Kwon et al, 2005;Putz et al, 2006;Son et al, 2007;Lee et al, 2008). Honeybee venom is collected by an electric shock instrument, sometimes coupled with stimulating the honeybee to sting the surface of the collector sheet or venom is extracted from bee glands or sticks (Rybak et al, 1995;Rybak and Skubida, 2007).…”