An Overview of Bee Venom Acupuncture in the Treatment of Arthritis
1Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Seoul College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul, South Korea, and 2Department of Meridian and Acupuncture, Seoul College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University Seoul, South Korea
Bee venom acupuncture (BVA), as a kind of herbal acupuncture, exerts not only pharmacological actions from the bioactive compounds isolated from bee venom but also a mechanical function from acupuncture stimulation. BVA is growing in popularity, especially in Korea, and is used primarily for pain relief in many kinds of diseases. We aimed to summarize and evaluate the available evidence of BVA for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Computerized literature searches for experimental studies and clinical trials of BVA for arthritis were performed on the databases from PUBMED, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. In addition, two leading Korean journals (The Journal of Korean Society for Acupuncture and Moxibustion and The Journal of Korean Oriental Medicine) were searched for relevant studies. The search revealed 67 studies, 15 of which met our criteria. The anti-inflammation and analgesic actions of BVA were proved in various kinds of animal arthritic models. Two randomized controlled trials and three uncontrolled clinical trials showed that BVA was effective in the treatment of arthritis. It is highly likely that the effectiveness of BVA for arthritis is a promising area of future research. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating the efficacy of BVA in arthritis. Rigorous trials with large sample size and adequate design are needed to define the role of BVA for these indications. In addition, studies on the optimal dosage and concentration of BVA are recommended for future trials.
Keywords: acupuncture – analgesia – anti-inflammation – bee venom – osteoarthritis – rheumatoid arthritis
For reprints and all correspondence: Sabina Lim, Department of Meridian and Acupuncture, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung-Hee University, 1 Hoegidong, Dongdaemungu, Seoul 130–701, South Korea. Tel: +822 961 0324. Fax: +822 961 7831; E-mail: lims{at}khu.ac.kr*The first two authors contributed equally to this article.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  S. P. L. Luna, A. L. Angeli, C. L. Ferreira, V. Lettry, and M. Scognamillo-Szabo Comparison of Pharmacopuncture, Aquapuncture and Acepromazine for Sedation of Horses Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., September 1, 2008; 5(3): 267 - 272. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
N. Yamaguchi, T. Takahashi, M. Sakuma, T. Sugita, K. Uchikawa, S. Sakaihara, T. Kanda, M. Arai, and K. Kawakita Acupuncture Regulates Leukocyte Subpopulations in Human Peripheral Blood Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., December 1, 2007; 4(4): 447 - 453. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Christie, G. Jamtvedt, K. T. Dahm, R. H Moe, E. A Haavardsholm, and K. B. Hagen Effectiveness of Nonpharmacological and Nonsurgical Interventions for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Overview of Systematic Reviews Physical Therapy, December 1, 2007; 87(12): 1697 - 1715. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. M. Stuhlmeier Apis Mellifera Venom and Melittin Block neither NF-{kappa}B-p50-DNA Interactions nor the Activation of NF-{kappa}B, Instead They Activate the Transcription of Proinflammatory Genes and the Release of Reactive Oxygen Intermediates J. Immunol., July 1, 2007; 179(1): 655 - 664. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Hellner, D. Winter, R. v. Georgi, and K. Munstedt Apitherapy: Usage And Experience In German Beekeepers Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., June 30, 2007; (2007) nem052v1. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Lippiello Collagen Synthesis in Tenocytes, Ligament Cells and Chondrocytes Exposed to a Combination of Glucosamine HCl and Chondroitin Sulfate Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., June 1, 2007; 4(2): 219 - 224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
Y.-K. Yim, H. Lee, K.-E. Hong, Y.-I. Kim, B.-R. Lee, C.-G. Son, and J.-E. Kim Electro-acupuncture at acupoint ST36 reduces inflammation and regulates immune activity in Collagen-Induced Arthritic Mice Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., March 1, 2007; 4(1): 51 - 57. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
H.-M. Johng, J. S. Yoo, T.-J. Yoon, H.-S. Shin, B.-C. Lee, C. Lee, J.-K. Lee, and K.-S. Soh Use of Magnetic Nanoparticles to Visualize Threadlike Structures Inside Lymphatic Vessels of Rats Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., March 1, 2007; 4(1): 77 - 82. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. L. Cooper eCAM benefits from diversity that derives from CAM Evid. Based Complement. Altern. Med., September 1, 2005; 2(3): 263 - 265. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|