• 대한약침학회지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.103-108
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• 2009

Objectives : This study is to report the effect of Pharmacopuncture therapy on a patient suffering from the pain and cold intolerance of hand caused by Carpal tunnel syndrome with Raynaud's phenomenon. Methods : We had treated the patient diagnosed as Carpal tunnel syndrome with Raynaud's phenomenon by Sweet BV and CF pharmacopuncture. We injected Sweet BV and CF into acupuncture points on both hands - Sweet BV into Baxie (EX-UE9), CF into Naegwan ($PC_6$) and Daereung ($PC_7$). And then we evaluated her symptoms by VAS (Visual Analog Scale). Results : Clinical symptoms about Carpal tunnel syndrome with Raynaud's phenomenon were remarkably improved by Sweet BV and CF Pharmacopuncture. Conclusion : Therefore, we concluded that pharmacopuncture therapy - Sweet BV, CF etc. - may be useful to treat Carpal tunnel syndrome with Raynaud's phenomenon.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제30권5호
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• pp.211-217
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to prove the clinical safety of Sweet Bee Venom(BV) and observe the physical reaction(percentage of localized itching & pain) after Sweet BV treatment. Methods : This study was carried out on 130 patients who had been injected with Sweet BV in Koran Medicine Hospital of Woosuk University from March 20, 2012 to June 30, 2013. Patients were treated with Sweet BV daily and we checked the physical reaction. After that, we analyzed those according to treatment times and body parts of injection. Results : 37 patients(28.46 %) complained localized itching and 41 patients(31.54 %) complained localized pain after Sweet BV injection. In 37 patients who complained localized itching, 8 patients were experienced itching in the first treatment. And 27 patients were experienced itching in the 1st~5th treatment. Wrist, ankle and toe were the highest percentage of localized itching. Finger was the highest percentage of localized pain. Knee showed a relatively higher percentage of itching, pain, itching & pain than other body parts. Conclusions : This study suggested that Sweet BV treatment was relatively safe treatment and doctors should explain the physical reaction before treating patients. Further studies are needed to propose a guideline for safety and treatment.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제11권1호
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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.

• 대한한의진단학회지
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• 제23권1호
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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.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제13권4호
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• pp.5-41
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was performed to analyse four week repeated dose toxicity of Sweet Bee Venom(Sweet BV) extracted from the bee venom in Beagle dogs. Methods: All experiments were conducted under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) at Biotoxtech Company, a non-clinical study authorized institution. Male and female Beagle dogs of 5-6 months old were chosen for the pilot study of four week repeated dose toxicity of Sweet BV which was administered at the level of 0.56mg/kg body weight which is eighty times higher than the clinical application dosage as the high dosage, followed by 0.28 and 0.14mg/kg as midium and low dosage, respectively. Equal amount of excipient(normal saline) to the Sweet BV experiment groups was administered as the control group every day for four weeks. Results: 1. No mortality was witnessed in all of the experiment groups. 2. All experiment groups were appealed pain sense in the treating time compared to the control group, and hyperemia and movement disorder were observed around the area of administration in all experiment groups, and higher occurrence in the higher dosage treatment. 3. For weight measurement, Neither male nor female groups showed significant changes. 4. In the urine analysis, CBC and biochemistry didn't show any significant changes in the experiment groups compared with control group. 5. For weight measurement of organs, experiment groups didn't show any significant changes compared with control group. 6. To verify abnormalities of organs and tissues, thigh muscle which treated with Sweet BV, cerebrum, liver, lung, kidney, and spinal cords were removed and conducted histologocal observation with H-E staining. In the histologocal observation of thigh muscle, cell infiltration, inflammatory, degeneration, necrosis of muscle fiber, and fibrosis were found in both thigh tissue. And the changes were depend on the dose of Sweet BV. But another organs were not detected in any abnormalities. 7. The proper high dosage of Sweet BV for the thirteen week repeated test in Beagle dogs may be 0.28mg/kg in one time. Conclusion: Above findings suggest that Sweet BV is relatively safe treatment medium. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.5-32
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was performed to analyse single dose toxicity 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). Six weeks old female Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the pilot study and determined 30㎎/㎏ which is 4285 times higher than the clinical application dosage as the high dosage, followed by 15 and 7.5㎎/㎏ as mid and lose dosage, respectively. Equal amount of excipient to the Sweet BV experiment groups was administered as the control group. Results: 1. No mortality was witnessed in all of the experiment groups. 2. Hyperemia and movement disorder were observed around the area of administration in all groups, and higher occurrence in the higher dosage groups. Hyperemia and movement disorder diminished with elapsed time. 3. For the weight measurement, male groups showed larger reduction in weight in accordance with higher dosage. Female groups didn't s how significant changes. 4. To verify abnormalities of organs and tissues, cerebellum, cerebrum, liver, lung, kidney, and spinal nerves were removed and conducted histological observation with H-E staining. No abnormalities were detected in any of organs and tissues. 5. One female rat in the 30㎎/㎏ group had amputated toe near the administered area and histopathological finding was hemorrhage with inflammation. This is presumed as a secondary infection after the administration of Sweet BV. Conclusion: Above findings suggest Sweet BV is relatively s safe treatment medium. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

Objectives : To verify pain relief effects and allergy inhibitory action for the osteoarthritis of the knee joint in Sweet Bee Venom in which allergy causing enzyme is removed. Methods : We randomly allocated 30 participants to treatment group Sweet Bee Venom and Bee Venom. Outcomes on pain reduction were measured by 100mm VAS(Visual Analog Scale). And we recorded into details allergic responses during Pharmacopuncture treatment. Results : Whole body condition and pain rate through VAS measurement were improved significantly in 2 weeks. We could get difference in pain score of two Pharmacopuncture groups significantly in 2 weeks. Sweet BV group($0.1{\beta}mg/m{\ell}$) showed superior reduction in pain compared to the BV group($0.1{\beta}mg/m{\ell}$) significantly. And other allergic responses such as edema, itchiness, pain were significantly lower in the Sweet BV group.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제19권1호
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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.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.390-395
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• 2022

Objectives: Sweet bee venom (sBV) is purified from Apis mellifera, containing a high level of melittin-its main component. It has been used as a therapeutic agent for pain relief and anti-inflammation, as well as for treating neuronal abnormalities. Recently, there have been studies on the therapeutic application of sBV for anticancer treatment. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological effect of sBV treatment in A549 human lung cancer cells. Methods: We used microscopic analysis to observe the morphological changes in A549 cells after sBV treatment. The MTT assay was used to examine the cytotoxic effect after dose-dependent sBV treatment. Molecular changes in sBV were evaluated by the expression of apoptosis marker proteins using western blot analysis. Results: Microscopic analysis suggested that the growth inhibitory effect occurred in a dose-dependent manner; however, cell lysis occurred at a concentration over 20 ㎍/mL of sBV. The MTT assay indicated that sBV treatment exhibited a growth inhibitory effect at a concentration over 5 ㎍/mL. On fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis, G0 dead cells were observed after G1 arrest at treatment concentrations up to 10 ㎍/mL. However, rapid cell rupture was observed at a concentration of 20 ㎍/mL. Western blot analysis demonstrated that sBV treatment modulated the expression of multiple cell death-related proteins, including cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase 9, p53, Bcl2, and Bax. Conclusion: sBV induced cell death in A549 human lung cancer cells at a pharmacological concentration, albeit causing hemolytic cell death at a high concentration.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제9권3호통권21호
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• pp.61-77
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• 2006

Objectives : Sweet bee venom is made by removing allergen from the bee venom through gel filtration chromatography and propionic acid/urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The aim of this study was to verify allergy inhibitory action in Sweet Bee Venom in which the allergy causing enzyme is removed. Methods : 95 healthy adult men and women were selected through a survey whom had never received the bee venom therapy in the past. The concentration of bee venom pharmacopuncture and Sweet BV pharmacopuncture was equally at 0.1mg/ml and the experiment was conducted as the double blind test. Experiment groups were classified into low dosage groups(0.1ml for both bee venom pharmacopuncture and Sweet BV) and high dosage groups where 0.4ml of respective administrations were rendered made observations for allergic responses. Results : Participants of the study was comprised of 71 men and 24 women with the average age of 29.0 years. According to results of the low dosage groups, Sweet BV group showed significant reduction in pain after 4 hours and 24 hours compared to the bee venom pharmacopuncture group. Other allergic responses were insignificant between the groups. For the high dosage groups, Sweet bee venom group showed reduction in pain after 30 minutes and 4 hours. Other allergic responses such as edema, itchiness, dizziness from hypersensitivity, and fatigue were significantly lower in the Sweet bee venom administered group after 30 minutes. Conclusions : As a result of removed allergen, Sweet bee venom significantly inhibits allergic responses both locally and throughout the body. This indicates wider and easier application of Sweet bee venom for the symptoms applicable to the bee venom pharmacopuncture. Further comparative studies should be conducted to yield more objective verification.