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Study on Drug—Bee Venom Interactions

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Dear Colleagues,

Thanks to previously published studies, the therapeutic effects of bee venom and its subcomponents, such as melittin and phospholipase A2, are relatively well known. To list a few examples, neuropathic pain, progressive muscle atrophy, idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, and cancers were all shown to be attenuated by bee venom administration. Furthermore, their mechanisms of action are also beginning to be clarified. However, in order for bee venom to be widely used against different types of diseases, its interaction with conventionally used drugs must be understood; thus far, the effects of their interactions have been poorly investigated.

Thus, this Special Issue of Toxins is devoted to understanding the interactions of bee venom and its subcomponents (i.e., apamin, melittin, phospholipase A2, etc.) with other drugs used to treat various diseases. We welcome all research focused on the combination effect of bee venom and other conventionally used drugs (i.e., anti-analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerogenic drugs). Bee venom and drugs could be treated simultaneously or sequentially. In vivo and in vitro studies are all welcomed. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: bee venom; cancers; pain (neuropathic pain); immunology; and neuromodulation.

Prof. Dr. Woojin Kim
Guest Editor

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Research

8 pages, 251 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Adverse Events in Bee Venom Therapy Reported in South Korea: A Survey Study

by Kyeonghan Kim, Hyein Jeong, Gihyun Lee, Soobin Jang and Taehan Yook

Toxins 2022, 14(1), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins14010018 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2711

Abstract

This study was aimed at investigating Korean patients’ experience with bee venom therapy (BVT) and providing evidence to enhance BVT safety. Thus, an anonymous online survey was conducted between August 22 and 28, 2018. Five hundred respondents who underwent pharmacopuncture (PA) within one year were surveyed (sample error: 95 ± 4.38%). Of these, 32 respondents were excluded and 468 were evaluated. Of the 468, 61 reported experiencing adverse events after PA. The adverse event rate was higher in the BV-PA(Bee venom-Pharmacopuncture) group than in the non-A group; however, intergroup differences were insignificant. There were no significant differences in mild symptom intensity between the BV-PA and non-BV-PA groups (p = 0.572). However, there was a significant intergroup difference in severe symptom intensity (p < 0.001). Additionally, the BV-PA and non-BV-PA groups did not significantly differ in their level of satisfaction either overall or in terms of effectiveness and safety (p = 0.414, p = 0.339, and p = 0.675, respectively). Furthermore, the BV-PA and non-BV-PA groups did not differ regarding intent to re-treat (p = 0.722). Severe adverse events such as anaphylactic shock were not reported; however, BVT practitioners should be cautious when applying it. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Drug—Bee Venom Interactions)

14 pages, 973 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Combined Bee Venom Acupuncture and NSAID Treatment for Non-Specific Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Pilot Clinical Trial

by Boram Lee, Byung-Kwan Seo, O-Jin Kwon, Dae-Jean Jo, Jun-Hwan Lee and Sanghun Lee

Toxins 2021, 13(7), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins13070436 - 23 Jun 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3264

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of a combined treatment of bee venom acupuncture (BVA) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the treatment of non-specific chronic neck pain (NCNP). Patients with NCNP for ≥3 months were randomly allocated to a BVA, NSAIDs, or combined group (1:1:1), receiving 6 sessions of BVA, loxoprofen (180 mg daily), or a combination, respectively, for 3 weeks. Recruitment, adherence, and completion rates were calculated to assess feasibility. Bothersomeness, pain, disability, quality of life, depressive status, treatment credibility, and adverse events were assessed. In total, 60 participants were enrolled, and 54 completed the trial. Recruitment, adherence, and completion rates were 100%, 95%, and 90%, respectively. Bothersomeness, pain, disability, and depressive symptoms significantly improved in all groups after treatment (p < 0.05). The combined group showed continuous improvement during the follow-up period (p < 0.05). Quality of life was significantly improved (p < 0.05), and treatment credibility was maintained in the BVA and combined groups. No serious adverse events were reported. Combined treatment of BVA and NSAIDs are feasible for the treatment of NCNP, showing high persistence of the effect, credibility, and safety. Additional trials with longer follow-up are needed to confirm this effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Drug—Bee Venom Interactions)

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