Bee venom acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of randomised clinical trials

Abstract

ObjectiveTo assess the clinical evidence for bee venom acupuncture (BVA) for rheumatoid arthritis (RA).DesignSystematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs).SettingWe searched 14 databases up to March 2014 without a language restriction.ParticipantsPatients with RA.InterventionBVA involved injecting purified, diluted BV into acupoints. We included trials on BVA used alone or in combination with a conventional therapy versus the conventional therapy alone.Primary outcomesMorning stiffness, pain and joint swellingSecondary outcomesErythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor, the number of joints affected by RA and adverse effects likely related to RA.ResultsA total of 304 potentially relevant studies were identified; only one RCT met our inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, BVA may more effectively improve joint pain, swollen joint counts, tender joint counts, ESR and CRP but was not shown to improve morning stiffness.ConclusionsThere is low-quality evidence, based on one trial, that BVA can significantly reduce pain, morning stiffness, tender joint counts, swollen joint counts and improve the quality of life of patients with RA compared with placebo (normal saline injection) control. However, the number of trials, their quality and the total sample size were too low to draw firm conclusions.Trial registration numberPROSPERO 2013: CRD42013005853.

Melittin induces human gastric cancer cell apoptosisviaactivation of mitochondrial pathway

“…As a traditional Chinese medicine, bee venom has a long history of being used to treat various diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis [24][25][26] . Melittin is the main component of bee venom and plays a major biological role in its activity [27,28] .…”

Trend Analysis of the Research on Bee Venom Acupuncture in South Korea, Based on Published Articles

“…of studies, their quality, and the total sample size were too low to draw firm conclusions 50) . Since a thesis by Kweon 51) in 1992, many studies have been published to date in Korea.…”

Wasp Venom Possesses Potential Therapeutic Effect in Experimental Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…As early as the Warring States Period, the Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor ("Huangdi Neijing" in Chinese) has a record of "bee sting is therapeutic despite the toxic risk incurred." According to modern medical research, bee venom (BV) exhibits antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects attributable to the activation of the central inhibitory and modulation of the immune system through multiple mechanisms [10]. Several clinical trials also have shown that BV could improve arthritis-related symptoms [11].…”