BEE VENOM THERAPY FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
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According to an estimate, it is believed that more than 2.5 million people, belonging to different areas of the globe, have multiple sclerosis. Abbreviated as MS, multiple sclerosis affects every person differently so; we can that symptoms vary greatly from one person to another.
What is multiple sclerosis? It is a neurological disease, which permanently damages the cells of CNS (central nervous system), that is, the brain and the spinal cord. The central nervous system is responsible for controlling various functions of our body. |
One of the tasks of this system is to send signals to different organs to regulate a proper breathing mechanism. All of these functions are carried out with the help of neurons; we can also call them the transmitters of the central nervous system.
How is MS detected?
Multiple sclerosis takes a lot of time to affect these neurons; it can be a matter of several weeks or even months. MS can be diagnosed through brain MRI – a neurologist will recommend it after some basic examination.
Apart from brain MRI some other responses like balance, sensations, reflexes, and neurological functions are judged to check the extent to which the CNS has been affected. Different types of tests are carried out with the help of a magnetic camera, to see what type of changes have been brought in the CNS due to MS.
Through this examination, it is not possible to detect tumors. To determine inflammation in the central nervous system, lumbar puncture samples are obtained. These samples are obtained right from the vertebrate with the help of a very thin needle. The lumbar puncture technique is superior to any other form of testing like fluid sample testing, spinal cord testing or magnetic camera examination. It helps in getting the right amount of information that can help diagnose multiple sclerosis.
The results obtained are evaluated by the medical history of the patient and the neurological tests made. It helps in getting a clear picture of the damage done and what type of treatment can be useful.
Bee Venom Extends Survival In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Models
ALS is known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a serious disease that affects the central nervous system. This disease can be due to familial origin, death of motor neurons or even sporadic. If we discuss the genetic factors that are responsible for ALS then we can say, it is the mutant SOD1 that induces susceptibility of the motor neurons due to protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, inapt growth factor signaling, glutamate excitotoxicity, defective axonal transport, cytoskeletal abnormalities, oxidative damage, and defunct mitochondrial dysfunction.
BV (bee venom) is one of the most promising therapy drugs that have been used in different oriental medicines. There is ample evidence available, from different researches and examinations that suggest bee venom to be the most effective and safe option. Bee venom has anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects against an inflammatory reaction that is associated with different inflammatory diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of bee venom when it comes to controlling motor neuron loss and activating microglial cells in the hSOD1 mice.
BV (bee venom) was administered, subcutaneously into, 98 days/ 14 weeks old, male hSOD1 mice at ST36 (Zusanli acupoint). This point was chosen because, in the light of preceding clinical trials, it has been established it mediates an anti-inflammatory effect.
To measure motor activity, the basic rotarod test was conducted while the Kaplan-Meier survival curve method was used to analyze survival statistics. The effect of bee venom therapy on anti-neuroinflammation of the hSOD1 mice was assessed with immunoreactions by TNF-α antibody and Iba as a microglia marker. Activation of caspase-3 proteins, MAPK (p38 MAP Kinase), Akt and ERK was examined through the western blotting method.
Bee venom treated hSOD1 mice demonstrated a significant decrease in the levels of phospho-p38 MAPK and microglia marker in the brain stream and spinal cord. It was also noticed that bee venom improved the medial survival and overall motor activity of the bee venom treated group by 139± days which is nearly 18% more than that of the control group that showed 117± days. Adding more, it was found that bee venom also suppressed the caspase-3 protein activity and controlled possible deficiencies of cristae morphology and mitochondrial structure in the lumbar spinal cord of the hSOD1 mice.
Based on the findings of this lab examination, the research study indicates that bee venom can serve as a potential therapeutic agent which can control anti- neuroinflammatory effects in mice models of ALS.
A Randomized Crossover Study of Bee Sting Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Bee venom is now being used to treat subjects of MS (multiple sclerosis), as it is believed that BV can help ameliorate or stabilize the symptoms of the disease. However, more clinical studies are required in this regard to support this fact.
A randomized crossover study was conducted in this regard. 26 patients were chosen that had relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and were given bee venom for 24 weeks. To obtain bee venom, 20 honeybees were used to obtain bee venom thrice a week. The primary outcome indicated a cumulative number of fresh gadolinium promoting lesions on the T-1 weighted MRI of the brain. While the secondary outcome indicated lesion load on the T-2 weighted MRI, health linked quality of life (Short-Form General Health Survey), fatigue (Fatigue Impact Scale, Abbreviated Fatigue Questionnaire), disability (Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Guys Neurologic Disability Scale) and relapse rate.
Bee venom therapy revealed no substantial decline in the cumulative count of fresh gadolinium-enhancing lesions. It was noticed that the T-2 weighted lesion load was further increased with no reduction observed in the relapse rate. Also, there was no sort of improvement in the quality of life, fatigue, and disability. It can be declared that bee venom therapy was tolerated in a good manner without any sort of serious side effects.
According to this clinical experiment, bee venom treatment conducted on patients having MS did not bring down disability, disease activity or level of fatigue and it even did not enhance the quality of life.
Honeybee Venom Extract as a Possible Treatment for Patients with Progressive Forms of Multiple Sclerosis
Various clinical results suggest that BV helps in treating patients having MS (multiple sclerosis). Though the patient might face emotional and financial issues with some serious allergic reactions, still it is a far better option than other conventional medicines meant for MS.
This clinical study was conducted to measure the safety level of BV extract for treating patients with different progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. 9 patients with progressive multiple sclerosis were chosen, who did not possess any allergic reaction to bee venom. They were divided further into four groups and were subjected to a 1-year immunization regime. Their ages were in-between 21 years to 55 years.
Different tests like an immunologic, metabolic, battery of hematologic, physical examination and a questionnaire were used to determine any sort of hyperreactivity to bee venom. The responses generated were evaluated later, through functional neurological tests, somatosensory evoked potential measurements and a questionnaire.
It was noticed that the patients belonging to groups A, B, C, and D did not record any serious allergic reactions. 4 patients experienced deteriorating neurological symptoms which required immediate termination from the study. They were not ascribed towards the group facing any serious side effects of bee venom therapy.
Only 5 patients were left now and out of which, 3 related that there was a subjective improvement in the symptoms of MS while the remaining 2, demonstrated objective improvement in their symptoms. In light of this clinical study, it can be said that this small sample does not support effectively the idea of using honey bee venom for treating MS. The reason is that the sample studied was small. Larger and controlled lab experiments need to be conducted that will establish the efficiency of bee venom in cases of MS. This study has helped establish a base for the experiments that can be conducted later.
Effect of Honey Bee Venom on Lewis Rats with Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis, a Model for Multiple Sclerosis
MS (multiple sclerosis) is termed, as a progressive autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that destroys CNS (central nervous system). A few obvious symptoms of multiple sclerosis indicate the destruction of neurological mechanisms, demyelination, and inflammation. EAE (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis), is one of the most widely used animal models for conducting multiple sclerosis experiments.
Model mice were exposed to EAE by administering tissue of MBP (myelin basic protein) or MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein), CNS along with the adjuvant. MS and EAE are quite similar diseases, as they both nearly have the same symptoms. Apis mellifera (honey bee venom) consists of different high and low molecular weight proteins and peptides that include phospholipase A2, mast cell degranulation peptide, adolapin, and melittin apamin. BV exerts anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on any sort of inflammatory reactions.
GPSCH (guinea pig spinal cord homogenate) is with the CFA (Complete Freund’s adjuvant), consisting of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1mg/mL. It was used to induce EAE in the Lewis rats for producing a multiple sclerosis model. Luxol, eosin and hematoxylin methods were made use of to analyze inflammation and detect demyelination if any in the central nervous system.
HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and ELISA were used to assess TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and level of nitrate in the rats’ serum. This clinical study was initiated to determine that bee venom along with EAE suppressed symptoms of a clinical disorder, demyelination, inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological changes in the CNS (central nervous system), serum nitrates, serum TNF-α in EAE induced rats.
After immunizing rats with the GPSCH – CFA, they were divided into different groups. At 9dpi they showed signs of reduced weight loss, nutrition behavior and search activities. At 11dpi, partial paralysis and tail stretch loss was observed in the E-S group. At 12dpi, the same symptoms were observed in the E-BV group, while at 13 dpi the E-BB group gave the same symptoms. With time and after a gradual increase the hind legs of the model mice were completely paralyzed. E-S group showed a very high intensity of these signs. The intensity of disease was decreased significantly in the E-BV (1 and2) group when compared with the E-S group. The results gathered depict that bee venom can impressively decrease clinical symptoms and any effects of vaccination of the Lewis rats having GPSH-CFA.
When examining and analyzing the staining sections through a light microscope, it was observed that there was no obvious penetration of the inflammatory cells of the spinal cord and brain parenchyma in the control group tissue sample. While the samples that contained traces of penetration of the mononuclear inflammatory cells were found to be around meninges and blood vessels that belonged to 3 labeled groups. The specified groups showed a varying intensity in the above-stated signs. The intensity of the penetration of inflammatory cells and pathological changes in the spinal cord and brain tissue of the E-S group was significant. On the other hand, the intensity of pathological changes in E-BV (1 and 2) demonstrated a significant reduction.
TNF-α found in the serum of subject rats was calculated by ELISA procedure for different groups. It was found that the quantity of TNF-α had decreased in treatment groups when compared with the E-S. The process of reduction was found to be quite significant in the E-BV2 group. It can be confirmed that honeybee venom reduced the TNF-α that was affected by GPSCH – CFA.
All of the data, gathered from different clinical procedures of the same experiment, showed that bee venom along with EAE helps in decreasing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and also leads to pathological changes, level of nitrate and serum TNF-α.
So it is confirmed that honey bee venom possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. As the mechanism projected forward by honey bee venom, in this clinical study, can only be possible due to its stated properties. This lab research has paved the way for carrying out extensive research that could help in developing an effective dose cycle of BV for MS patients.
How is MS detected?
Multiple sclerosis takes a lot of time to affect these neurons; it can be a matter of several weeks or even months. MS can be diagnosed through brain MRI – a neurologist will recommend it after some basic examination.
Apart from brain MRI some other responses like balance, sensations, reflexes, and neurological functions are judged to check the extent to which the CNS has been affected. Different types of tests are carried out with the help of a magnetic camera, to see what type of changes have been brought in the CNS due to MS.
Through this examination, it is not possible to detect tumors. To determine inflammation in the central nervous system, lumbar puncture samples are obtained. These samples are obtained right from the vertebrate with the help of a very thin needle. The lumbar puncture technique is superior to any other form of testing like fluid sample testing, spinal cord testing or magnetic camera examination. It helps in getting the right amount of information that can help diagnose multiple sclerosis.
The results obtained are evaluated by the medical history of the patient and the neurological tests made. It helps in getting a clear picture of the damage done and what type of treatment can be useful.
Bee Venom Extends Survival In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Models
ALS is known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is a serious disease that affects the central nervous system. This disease can be due to familial origin, death of motor neurons or even sporadic. If we discuss the genetic factors that are responsible for ALS then we can say, it is the mutant SOD1 that induces susceptibility of the motor neurons due to protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, inapt growth factor signaling, glutamate excitotoxicity, defective axonal transport, cytoskeletal abnormalities, oxidative damage, and defunct mitochondrial dysfunction.
BV (bee venom) is one of the most promising therapy drugs that have been used in different oriental medicines. There is ample evidence available, from different researches and examinations that suggest bee venom to be the most effective and safe option. Bee venom has anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects against an inflammatory reaction that is associated with different inflammatory diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of bee venom when it comes to controlling motor neuron loss and activating microglial cells in the hSOD1 mice.
BV (bee venom) was administered, subcutaneously into, 98 days/ 14 weeks old, male hSOD1 mice at ST36 (Zusanli acupoint). This point was chosen because, in the light of preceding clinical trials, it has been established it mediates an anti-inflammatory effect.
To measure motor activity, the basic rotarod test was conducted while the Kaplan-Meier survival curve method was used to analyze survival statistics. The effect of bee venom therapy on anti-neuroinflammation of the hSOD1 mice was assessed with immunoreactions by TNF-α antibody and Iba as a microglia marker. Activation of caspase-3 proteins, MAPK (p38 MAP Kinase), Akt and ERK was examined through the western blotting method.
Bee venom treated hSOD1 mice demonstrated a significant decrease in the levels of phospho-p38 MAPK and microglia marker in the brain stream and spinal cord. It was also noticed that bee venom improved the medial survival and overall motor activity of the bee venom treated group by 139± days which is nearly 18% more than that of the control group that showed 117± days. Adding more, it was found that bee venom also suppressed the caspase-3 protein activity and controlled possible deficiencies of cristae morphology and mitochondrial structure in the lumbar spinal cord of the hSOD1 mice.
Based on the findings of this lab examination, the research study indicates that bee venom can serve as a potential therapeutic agent which can control anti- neuroinflammatory effects in mice models of ALS.
A Randomized Crossover Study of Bee Sting Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis
Bee venom is now being used to treat subjects of MS (multiple sclerosis), as it is believed that BV can help ameliorate or stabilize the symptoms of the disease. However, more clinical studies are required in this regard to support this fact.
A randomized crossover study was conducted in this regard. 26 patients were chosen that had relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis and were given bee venom for 24 weeks. To obtain bee venom, 20 honeybees were used to obtain bee venom thrice a week. The primary outcome indicated a cumulative number of fresh gadolinium promoting lesions on the T-1 weighted MRI of the brain. While the secondary outcome indicated lesion load on the T-2 weighted MRI, health linked quality of life (Short-Form General Health Survey), fatigue (Fatigue Impact Scale, Abbreviated Fatigue Questionnaire), disability (Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, Expanded Disability Status Scale, Guys Neurologic Disability Scale) and relapse rate.
Bee venom therapy revealed no substantial decline in the cumulative count of fresh gadolinium-enhancing lesions. It was noticed that the T-2 weighted lesion load was further increased with no reduction observed in the relapse rate. Also, there was no sort of improvement in the quality of life, fatigue, and disability. It can be declared that bee venom therapy was tolerated in a good manner without any sort of serious side effects.
According to this clinical experiment, bee venom treatment conducted on patients having MS did not bring down disability, disease activity or level of fatigue and it even did not enhance the quality of life.
Honeybee Venom Extract as a Possible Treatment for Patients with Progressive Forms of Multiple Sclerosis
Various clinical results suggest that BV helps in treating patients having MS (multiple sclerosis). Though the patient might face emotional and financial issues with some serious allergic reactions, still it is a far better option than other conventional medicines meant for MS.
This clinical study was conducted to measure the safety level of BV extract for treating patients with different progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. 9 patients with progressive multiple sclerosis were chosen, who did not possess any allergic reaction to bee venom. They were divided further into four groups and were subjected to a 1-year immunization regime. Their ages were in-between 21 years to 55 years.
Different tests like an immunologic, metabolic, battery of hematologic, physical examination and a questionnaire were used to determine any sort of hyperreactivity to bee venom. The responses generated were evaluated later, through functional neurological tests, somatosensory evoked potential measurements and a questionnaire.
It was noticed that the patients belonging to groups A, B, C, and D did not record any serious allergic reactions. 4 patients experienced deteriorating neurological symptoms which required immediate termination from the study. They were not ascribed towards the group facing any serious side effects of bee venom therapy.
Only 5 patients were left now and out of which, 3 related that there was a subjective improvement in the symptoms of MS while the remaining 2, demonstrated objective improvement in their symptoms. In light of this clinical study, it can be said that this small sample does not support effectively the idea of using honey bee venom for treating MS. The reason is that the sample studied was small. Larger and controlled lab experiments need to be conducted that will establish the efficiency of bee venom in cases of MS. This study has helped establish a base for the experiments that can be conducted later.
Effect of Honey Bee Venom on Lewis Rats with Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis, a Model for Multiple Sclerosis
MS (multiple sclerosis) is termed, as a progressive autoimmune neurodegenerative disease that destroys CNS (central nervous system). A few obvious symptoms of multiple sclerosis indicate the destruction of neurological mechanisms, demyelination, and inflammation. EAE (experimental allergic encephalomyelitis), is one of the most widely used animal models for conducting multiple sclerosis experiments.
Model mice were exposed to EAE by administering tissue of MBP (myelin basic protein) or MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein), CNS along with the adjuvant. MS and EAE are quite similar diseases, as they both nearly have the same symptoms. Apis mellifera (honey bee venom) consists of different high and low molecular weight proteins and peptides that include phospholipase A2, mast cell degranulation peptide, adolapin, and melittin apamin. BV exerts anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects on any sort of inflammatory reactions.
GPSCH (guinea pig spinal cord homogenate) is with the CFA (Complete Freund’s adjuvant), consisting of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1mg/mL. It was used to induce EAE in the Lewis rats for producing a multiple sclerosis model. Luxol, eosin and hematoxylin methods were made use of to analyze inflammation and detect demyelination if any in the central nervous system.
HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and ELISA were used to assess TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha and level of nitrate in the rats’ serum. This clinical study was initiated to determine that bee venom along with EAE suppressed symptoms of a clinical disorder, demyelination, inflammatory cell infiltration and pathological changes in the CNS (central nervous system), serum nitrates, serum TNF-α in EAE induced rats.
After immunizing rats with the GPSCH – CFA, they were divided into different groups. At 9dpi they showed signs of reduced weight loss, nutrition behavior and search activities. At 11dpi, partial paralysis and tail stretch loss was observed in the E-S group. At 12dpi, the same symptoms were observed in the E-BV group, while at 13 dpi the E-BB group gave the same symptoms. With time and after a gradual increase the hind legs of the model mice were completely paralyzed. E-S group showed a very high intensity of these signs. The intensity of disease was decreased significantly in the E-BV (1 and2) group when compared with the E-S group. The results gathered depict that bee venom can impressively decrease clinical symptoms and any effects of vaccination of the Lewis rats having GPSH-CFA.
When examining and analyzing the staining sections through a light microscope, it was observed that there was no obvious penetration of the inflammatory cells of the spinal cord and brain parenchyma in the control group tissue sample. While the samples that contained traces of penetration of the mononuclear inflammatory cells were found to be around meninges and blood vessels that belonged to 3 labeled groups. The specified groups showed a varying intensity in the above-stated signs. The intensity of the penetration of inflammatory cells and pathological changes in the spinal cord and brain tissue of the E-S group was significant. On the other hand, the intensity of pathological changes in E-BV (1 and 2) demonstrated a significant reduction.
TNF-α found in the serum of subject rats was calculated by ELISA procedure for different groups. It was found that the quantity of TNF-α had decreased in treatment groups when compared with the E-S. The process of reduction was found to be quite significant in the E-BV2 group. It can be confirmed that honeybee venom reduced the TNF-α that was affected by GPSCH – CFA.
All of the data, gathered from different clinical procedures of the same experiment, showed that bee venom along with EAE helps in decreasing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and also leads to pathological changes, level of nitrate and serum TNF-α.
So it is confirmed that honey bee venom possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. As the mechanism projected forward by honey bee venom, in this clinical study, can only be possible due to its stated properties. This lab research has paved the way for carrying out extensive research that could help in developing an effective dose cycle of BV for MS patients.
Sources:
Bee venom therapy and low dose naltrexone for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Bee venom extends survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models.
A randomized crossover study of bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Honeybee venom extract as a possible treatment for patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
Bee venom therapy and low dose Naltrexone for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
MDs sceptical, but patients say bee venom relieves MS symptoms
Effect of Honey Bee Venom on Lewis Rats with Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis, a Model for Multiple Sclerosis
Bee venom therapy and low dose naltrexone for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
Bee venom extends survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models.
A randomized crossover study of bee sting therapy for multiple sclerosis.
Honeybee venom extract as a possible treatment for patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.
Bee venom therapy and low dose Naltrexone for treatment of multiple sclerosis.
MDs sceptical, but patients say bee venom relieves MS symptoms
Effect of Honey Bee Venom on Lewis Rats with Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis, a Model for Multiple Sclerosis
