Apitherapy Symposium, Workshop Boston Area, April 28-29

These workshops and symposiums are fantastic, intense sessions on the truly marvelous merits of honeybees, helping humans and animals with better health...

The American Apitherapy Society, Inc. & the York County Beekeepers Association Present “Honey Bees for Health,” An Apitherapy Symposium & Workshop

April 28-29, 2012

York Harbor Inn, York Harbor, ME

For more information:

http://www.apitherapy.org

http://mainebeekeepers.org/news/honey-bees-for-health-an-apitherapy-symposium-workshop/

All are welcome to this event in York Harbor in Southern Maine, just one hour north of Boston, MA. You will be able to learn from three experienced Apitherapists (two physicians and one acupuncturist), and interact with them and other people interested in Apitherapy. 

This ancient form of medicine with products of the beehive (honey, pollen, propolis, bee venom, and royal jelly) is used for health and healing throughout the world. The use of these products to maintain health is currently becoming well recognized in mainstream as well as scientific publications, and their power to heal when illness or accident occurs is also documented.

Conditions such as arthritis, MS, pain, and wounds are known to respond well to Apitherapy. Examples of material covered at this event are:  

 - adverse reactions, 

 - informed consent 

 - legal issues,

 - treatment of scars

 - Veterinary Apitherapy

 - Apitherapy for pain, arthritis, and accidents

The AAS is a nonprofit membership organization established for the purpose of educating about Apitherapy. This event is a prelude to the more comprehensive program of AAS’s course and conference (known as CMACC) to be given this year, October 5 - 7 in Portland, Oregon.

AAS and YCBA look forward to having you with us at the end of April. Enjoy early Spring in Maine at a beautiful historic inn, close to many of southern Maine’s coastal natural resources, as well as to fine shopping.

1st ApiMedical Tourism Conf & ApiExpo, Bangladesh 22-24 June

Apitherapy is recognized complementary and alternative medicine in numerous countries around the world and is continuing to integrate into other countries' health care choices...

First International Api-Medical Tourism Conference, Api-Expo in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Tourism Foundation announced its 'First International Api-Medical Tourism Conference and Api-Expo' 2012 to be held at Dhaka Bangladesh from 22-24 June, 2012.

The Conference and Expo is open to apitherapists, beekeepers, tour operators, scientists and clinicians on beehive products with the objective of opening the world of apitherapy to medical people, beekeepers, alternative health practitioners and tour operators. The goal is that ApiMedical Tourism will rise due to the increasing interest in apiculture and apitherapy.

Speakers will deliver the keynotes in the plenary sessions that will improve and refresh the global knowledge base. The conference platform is targeted to health specialists, researchers and ordinary practitioners with a therapeutic interest towards the uses of honey, apitoxin, royal jelly, bees wax, propolis and bee pollen.

For more information, contact: 

Mokhlesur Rahman

President,

Bangladesh Tourism Foundation and Coordinator

First International Api-Medical Tourism Conference and Api-Expo 2012

Conference Secretariat

Room 305, Academic Building, Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Tel: (+8802)9661920-70 (hunting), Ext- 7970

Mobile: +880155245657, 01714117801

e-mail: gtldhaka@yahoo.com

Bee Venom Therapy Helps Manage Chronic Pain

The Monmouth Pain Institute in Red Bank, New Jersey has been successfully using injectable bee venom for treating chronic pain in human patients for the past 20 years... 

Repetitive Treatment with Diluted Bee Venom Reduces Neuropathic Pain Via Potentiation of Locus Coeruleus Noradrenergic Neuronal Activity and Modulation of Spinal NR1 Phosphorylation in Rats

Journal of Pain, 2012 Jan 2

We previously demonstrated that a single injection of diluted bee venom (DBV) temporarily alleviates thermal hyperalgesia, but not mechanical allodynia, in neuropathic rats.

The present study was designed to determine whether repetitive injection of DBV produces more potent analgesic effects on neuropathy-induced nociception and whether those effects are associated with increased neuronal activity in the locus coeruleus (LC) and with the suppression of spinal NMDA receptor NR1 subunit phosphorylation (pNR1).

DBV (.25 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously twice a day for 2 weeks beginning on day 15 post-chronic constrictive injury surgery. Pain responses were examined and potential changes in LC Fos expression and spinal pNR1 expression were determined. Repetitive DBV administration significantly reduced mechanical allodynia, as well as thermal hyperalgesia. The activity of LC noradrenergic neurons was increased and spinal pNR1 expression was significantly suppressed by repetitive DBV as compared with those of vehicle or single DBV injection. These suppressive effects of repetitive DBV on neuropathic pain and spinal pNR1 were prevented by intrathecal pretreatment of idazoxan, an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist.

These results indicate that repetitive DBV produces potent analgesic effects on neuropathic pain and this is associated with the activation of the LC noradrenergic system and with a reduction in spinal pNR1.

PERSPECTIVE: 

The results of current study demonstrate that repetitive administration of DBV significantly suppresses neuropathic pain. Furthermore, this study provides mechanistic information that repetitive treatment of DBV can produce more potent analgesic effect than single DBV treatment, indicating a potential novel strategy for the management of chronic pain.

Bee Venom Antimicrobial Peptide Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Honey bee products deserve further funds to uncover these important discoveries which continue to elevate the merits of Apitherapy. For example, the statistically low cancer rate found in beekeepers worldwide, not to mention the reports of Bee Venom Therapy in treating numerous conditions ranging from Alzheimer's Disease to Parkinson's Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis...

Consequences of Alteration in the Leucine Zipper Sequence of Melittin in its Neutralization of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Response in Macrophage Cells and Interaction with Lipopolysaccharide

J Biological Chemistry, 2011 Nov 29

Bee venom antimicrobial peptide, melittin, besides showing versatile activity against microorganisms neutralizes lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophage cells.

However, how the amino acid sequence of melittin contributes in its anti-inflammatory properties is mostly unknown. To determine the importance of the leucine zipper sequence of melittin in its neutralization of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophages and interaction with LPS, anti-inflammatory properties of melittin and its three analogues and their interactions with LPS were studied in detail.

Two of these analogues namely, melittin Mut-1 (MM-1) and melittin Mut-2 (MM-2) possess leucine to alanine substitutions in the single and double heptadic leucine residue(s) of melittin respectively while the third analogue is a scrambled peptide (Mel-SCR) which contains the amino acid composition of melittin with minor rearrangement in its leucine zipper sequence.

Though MM-1 partly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in RAW 264.7 and rat primary macrophage cells in the presence of LPS, MM-2 and Mel-SCR were negligibly active. A progressive decrease in interaction of melittin with LPS, aggregation in LPS and dissociation of LPS aggregates with alteration in the leucine zipper sequence of melittin was observed.

Further, with alteration in the leucine zipper sequence of melittin, these analogues failed to exhibit cellular responses that are associated with neutralization of LPS-induced inflammatory responses in macrophage cells by melittin.

The data indicated a probable important role of the leucine zipper sequence of melittin in neutralizing LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophage cells as well as in its interaction with LPS…

Though further studies are required in understanding the role of this motif in these molecules, the data probably indicate that one can design anti-LPS or LPS-binding molecule based on this structural element.

MS Gets Stung by Bee Venom Therapy

There are numerous studies being conducted worldwide on Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) for its therapeutic effects, ranging from Alzheimer's Disease and Arthritis to Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease. To better understand BVT,  it's best to contact an Apitherapy association. Visit www.apitherapy.com for a global listing.

Multiple Sclerosis with Bee Venom Therapy

www.altmeds.com, 2011, Dec

Bee Venom therapy, sometimes called Bee Sting therapy, is a form of Apitherapy that may be a helpful treatment for those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is characterized by destruction of the myelin protective sheath that covers the spinal cord and nerves. While it is not clear why MS occurs, some believe it is an auto immune problem in which the immune system starts attacking the central nervous system. The tears, rips, and open spots in the covering of the nerves can “short circuit” the electrical signals that the brain and body use to communicate with one another.

Those who have MS suffer from symptoms that include hot flashes, dizziness, and incoordination. MS is a degenerative disease, meaning it progressively gets worse. There is currently no cure for MS. There are several medications that may help with some of the symptoms, but they have side effects.  One of the treatments for MS, making a comeback from ancient Egyptian times, is bee venom therapy.

Why does bee venom help those with MS?

Bee venom therapy uses live honey bees for the benefits of their stingers. Some patients with MS who use bee venom therapy have noted decreased pain, increased coordination, and increased muscle strength.

So why would a bee sting help those with MS? Scientists believe it is because of two main ingredients in bee venom—adolapin and melittin. These compounds may reduce the pain and inflammation associated with MS. Bee venom therapy as a whole is thought to encourage the human body to release natural healing defenses to protect itself from the sting. These chemicals may heal other ailments in the body.

Pat Wagner, also known as “The Bee Lady” was diagnosed with MS at age 19. She claims on her website that bee venom therapy is the best treatment for MS. After receiving her initial bee stings, her hearing improved as well as her internal thermostat. She no longer felt chills, and she started moving around without her wheel chair. Her husband was so encouraged with her development that he bought a bee hive. She still uses bee venom therapy to this day.

Is there research on bee venom therapy and MS?

Currently there is very limited research that has been conclusive on bee venom therapy. The information about bee venom therapy being used for any form of treatment comes from case studies. There are reportedly thousands of patients using bee venom therapy as an alternative to medications typically taken for the treatment of MS.

Georgetown University just began a research project for bee venom therapy, funded by the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. This study will be conducted for one year and will serve as the first of many research studies performed on the hypothesis of bee venom therapy for those with MS.

Bee Venom therapy Precautions

Some people are highly allergic to bee stings. The allergic reaction can result in anaphylactic shock and can result in death. Do not try to use bee venom if you are not sure if you are allergic to bee stings. Bee sting allergies, like all allergies, may develop over time. Just because you were not allergic at one time does not mean you are currently not allergic to bee stings. There are 10,000 health care professionals that specialize in bee venom therapy. Please consult one of these individuals before attempting bee sting therapy.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Parkinson's Disease

Clinical trials are currently ongoing in Parisian Hospitals using Bee Venom in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease... 

Bee Venom Protects SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells from 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium-Induced Apoptotic Cell Death

Brain Research, 2011 Oct 6

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Recently, bee venom was reported to protect dopaminergic neurons in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine induced mice PD model, however, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood.

The objective of the present study is to investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of bee venom against Parkinsonian toxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine (MPP(+)), in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells.

Our results revealed that bee venom pretreatment (1-100ng/ml) increased the cell viability and decreased apoptosis assessed by DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity assays in MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Bee venom increased the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and decreased the pro-apoptotic Bax, cleaved PARP expressions.

In addition, bee venom prevented the MPP(+)-induced suppression of Akt phosphorylation, and the neuroprotective effect of bee venom against MPP(+)-induced cytotoxicity was inhibited by a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002.

These results suggest that the anti-apoptotic effect of bee venom is mediated by the cell survival signaling, the PI3K/Akt pathway. These results provide new evidence for elucidating the mechanism of neuroprotection of bee venom against PD.

Bee Venom May Help Target Symptoms of Dementia and Depression

Apimen is a primary bee venom toxin and with the many other components in bee venom, make it a very sought-after honeybee product, such as its anti-inflammatory action in anti-aging skin creams...

Scientists Discover How to Design Drugs That Could Target Particular Nerve Cells

HealthCanal, 11/10/2011

The future of drug design lies in developing therapies that can target specific cellular processes without causing adverse reactions in other areas of the nervous system.

Scientists at the Universities of Bristol and Liège in Belgium have discovered how to design drugs to target specific areas of the brain.

The research, led by Professor Neil Marrion at Bristol’s School of Physiology and Pharmacology and published in this week’s Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS), will enable the design of more effective drug compounds to enhance nerve activity in specific nerves…

The researchers have been using a natural toxin found in bee venom, called apamin, known for its ability to block different types of SK channel. SK channels enable a flow of potassium ions in and out of nerve cells that controls activity. The researchers have taken advantage of apamin being able to block one subtype of SK channel better than the others, to identify how three subtype SK channels [SK1-3] can be selectively blocked.

Neil Marrion, Professor of Neuroscience at the University, said: “The problem with developing drugs to target cellular processes has been that many cell types distributed throughout the body might all have the same ion channels. SK channels are also distributed throughout the brain, but it is becoming obvious that these channels might be made of more than one type of SK channel subunit. It is likely that different nerves have SK channels made from different subunits. This would mean that developing a drug to block a channel made of only one SK channel protein will not be therapeutically useful, but knowing that the channels are comprised of multiple SK subunits will be the key.”

The study’s findings have identified how SK channels are blocked by apamin and other ligands. Importantly, it shows how channels are folded to allow a drug to bind. This will enable drugs to be designed to block those SK channels that are made of more than one type of SK channel subunit, to target the symptoms of dementia and depression more effectively…

Bee Venom Provides ‘Collective Immunity’ for Hive

a significant finding... Could this explain the consistency of all the bee products to possess antimicrobial properties?... 

Beyond theAntipredatory Defence: Honey Bee Venom Function as a Component of SocialImmunity

Toxicon,2011 Sep 10

The honeybee colonies, with the relevant number of immature brood and adults, andstable, high levels of humidity and temperatures of their nests, result insuitable environments for the development of microorganisms includingpathogens.

Inresponse, honey bees evolved several adaptations to face the increased risks ofepidemic diseases. As the antimicrobial venom peptides of Apis mellifera arepresent both on the cuticle of adult bees and on the nest wax it has beenrecently suggested that these substances act as a social antiseptic device.

Since theuse of venom by honey bees in the context of social immunity needs to be moredeeply investigated, we extended the study of this potential role of the venomto different species of the genus Apis (A. mellifera, Apisdorsata, Apis ceranaand Apis andreniformis) using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry techniques.

Inparticular we investigated whether (similarly to A. mellifera) the venom isspread over the body cuticle and on the comb wax of these three Asian species.Our results confirm the idea that the venom functions are well beyond theclassical stereotype of defence against predators, and suggest that thedifferent nesting biology of these species may be related to the use of thevenom in a social immunity context.

Thepresence of antimicrobial peptides on the comb wax of the cavity-dwellingspecies and on the cuticle of workers of all the studied species represents agood example of "collective immunity" and a component of the"social immunity" respectively.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and ALS

bee venom therapy has been used for arthritis, scar therapy, even used to remove moles.

Effects of Bee Venom on Glutamate-Induced Toxicity in Neuronal and Glial Cells

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine; vol 2012

Abstract:

Bee venom (BV), which is extracted from honeybees, is used in traditional Korean medical therapy.

Several groups have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of BV in osteoarthritis both in vivo and in vitro. Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Changes in glutamate release and uptake due to alterations in the activity of glutamate transporters have been reported in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

To assess if BV can prevent glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity, we examined cell viability and signal transduction in glutamate-treated neuronal and microglial cells in the presence and absence of BV. We induced glutamatergic toxicity in neuronal cells and microglial cells and found that BV protected against cell death. Furthermore, BV significantly inhibited the cellular toxicity of glutamate, and pretreatment with BV altered MAP kinase activation (e.g., JNK, ERK, and p38) following exposure to glutamate.

These findings suggest that treatment with BV may be helpful in reducing glutamatergic cell toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases.

AAS Apitherapy Course & Conf - New Orleans, Nov 4-6 2011

an intensive, learning experience designed to increase your knowledge and use of Apitherapy...

The American Apitherapy Society proudly announces its2011 Charles Mraz Apitherapy Course & Conference to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana Nov 4-6 2011.For the first time ever we are offering 2 course levels, one for those new toapitherapy and the other for those who are already familiar with or are alreadypracticing apitherapy.

Medical doctors, a spectrum of holistic healthpractitioners, veterinarians, researchers, backyard beekeepers, and members ofthe general public interested in self-reliant health care will convene from allover the United statesand the world to learn about apitherapy. Apitherapy, an ancient healing modality, refers to the therapeutic useof products from the beehive: honey, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and beevenom therapy. 

Attendees will receive education on basic and moreadvanced levels on the products of the hive and their therapeutic propertiesincluding a hands on bee venom therapy workshop where participants can obtainpractical experience with this healing practice.  Presentations are given by the CMACC facultywho are some of the most prominent and experienced Apitherapists in thecountry.  Examples of material covered inthese presentations are allergic reactions, techniques of BVT, informed consentand legal issues, propolis and cancer, veterinary apitherapy, patient intakefor apitherapy, and much more.  An examis given to ascertain comprehension of the material in the course andcertificates of completion will be issued.

The AAS is a nonprofit membership organization establishedfor the purpose of education about apitherapy. CMACC has been named in memory of Charles Mraz, an American pioneer in theuse of bee venom to treat diseases.

Visit www.apitherapy.org where with a single click youcan access all CMACC information, register and pay online.  Don’t miss out on the EARLY BEE DISCOUNT bymaking sure you register by Friday, September 23rd. Do join us for the Fridaynight dinner to network with others and experience the New Orleans cuisine. Don’t forget to mentionAAS when booking your hotel room in order to receive a special rate valid untilOctober 6th. Membershipto AAS is included with  the course fee.

Contact:  American Apitherapy Society

631-470-9446  aasoffice@apitherapy.org 

2011 Charles Mraz Course and Conference (CMACC)

November 4-6, 2011

The Inn on Bourbon

541 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA  70130

1-800-535-7891 or 504-524-7611 

Bee Venom Component Protects Liver Cells Against Injury

Is there anything from honey bees that isn't good?!?!?!

Protective Effects of Melittin on Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Injury to Hepatocytes Via Anti-Apoptotic Mechanism

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 17-Aug 2011

Melittin is a cationic, hemolytic peptide that is the main toxic component in the venom of the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Melittin has multiple effects, including anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, in various cell types. However, the anti-apoptotic mechanisms of melittin have not been fully elucidated in hepatocytes.

Apoptosis contributes to liver inflammation and fibrosis. Knowledge of the apoptotic mechanisms is important to develop new and effective therapies for treatment of cirrhosis, portal hypertension, liver cancer, and other liver diseases.

In the present study, we investigated the anti-apoptotic effect of melittin on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes. TGF-β1-treated hepatocytes were exposed to low doses (0.5 and 1 μg/mL) and high dose (2 μg/mL) of melittin. The low doses significantly protected these cells from DNA damage in TGF-β1-induced apoptosis compared to the high dose. Also, melittin suppressed TGF-β1-induced apoptotic activation of the Bcl-2 family and caspase family of proteins, which resulted in the inhibition of poly–ADP–ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage.

These results demonstrate that TGF-β1 induces hepatocyte apoptosis and that an optimal dose of melittin exerts anti-apoptotic effects against TGF-β1-induced injury to hepatocytes via the mitochondrial pathway. These results suggest that an optimal dose of melittin can serve to protect cells against TGF-β1-mediated injury.

Highlights

► We investigated the anti-apoptotic effect of melittin on TGF-β1-induced apoptosis in hepatocytes.

► TGF-β1 induces hepatocyte apoptosis.

► TGF-β1-treated hepatocytes were exposed to low doses (0.5 and 1 μg/mL) and high dose (2 μg/mL) of melittin.

► An optimal dose of melittin exerts anti-apoptotic effects to hepatocytes via the mitochondrial pathway.

Bee Venom Therapy Used to Treat Multiple Sclerosis, Arthritis

Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) works for many reasons and must be used carefully. But it's feasible to learn even for non-medical people... 

Speaker Creates Buzz Over Bee Venom as Medical TreatmentBy Alexandria Randolph, The Eagle, 7/28/2011

A multiple sclerosis patient who has been self-medicating herself with bee venom will speak Thursday at an annual event sponsored by the Central Texas Beekeepers in Brenham.

Alice Daley and her husband, Bill, said they initially learned about venom therapy in 1995 during a support group meeting for MS patients.

"When we heard about the bee sting treatment, we thought, 'We've got nothing to lose, so let's try it!'" Bill Daley said…

Bill Daley administers the venom once a week to his wife, who suffers from the autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. She has received more than 17,000 stings since beginning the treatment. Some use venom in a cream, ointment or injection form, the latter of which is used on her.

"I have a record of every sting I've ever given her," Daley said. "I give her 32 stings every week; five on each arm and leg, nine on her back, one on her neck and two on her chest."
Alice Daley said that while the treatment isn't commercially available or medically approved, it works for her.

"It keeps me out of the hospital," she said. "I get bee stings every week, and I haven't yet had a crash."
And, not only is she more mobile, she said, but doctors at her last neurological appointment could no longer find lesions that had been present on her brain.


Bill Daley, who is a certified reflexologist, also uses bee venom on some of his patients. "I sting a handful of people for arthritis and energy," Daley said. "There's one guy who gets stung just to feel better."

Kelling said bee venom therapy is not uncommon, though people should make sure they're not allergic to bee stings before trying it.

"I've heard my whole life about people with arthritis who had used stings on their knuckles," Kelling said. "It relieved people of the condition for a while."

While Kelling said he's not sure of the medicinal value of bee venom, he's been stung many times while working with his bees.

"All I know is I don't have any aches," he said...

Bee Venom May Help Treat Complication of Lupus

We seen positive effects with the use of Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) for other auto-immune conditions such as Arthritis, Lyme's Disease, Multiple Schlerosis, ALS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, even Tennis Elbow ...

Bee Venom-Associated Th1/Th2 Immunoglobulin Class Switching Results in Immune Tolerance of NZB/W F1 Murine Lupus Nephritis
Am J Nephrol, 2011;34:163-172

Background/Aims: Bee venom (BV) therapy has been used to treat inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis in humans and in experimental animals. This study was conducted to examine the therapeutic effect of BV on established lupus nephritis in New Zealand Black/White (NZB/W) F1 female mice.

Methods: Beginning at 18 weeks of age, mice were given a subcutaneous injection of either BV (3 mg/kg BW) or an equal volume of saline once a week until the end of the study. To examine the effect of BV on CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells, splenocytes from NZB/W mice (23 weeks of age) were treated with BV (1 µg/ml) or PBS in the presence of anti-CD3ε (1 µg/ml) and anti-CD28 antibodies (4 µg/ml) for 48 h.

Results: BV administration delayed the development of proteinuria to a significant extent, prevented renal inflammation, reduced tubular damage, and reduced immune deposits in the glomeruli. Interestingly, CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells were significantly increased in vitro and in vivo after BV treatment.

Conclusion: Collectively, the administration of BV that has immune modulating effects represents an applicable treatment of lupus nephritis in NZB/W F1 mice.

Bee Venom May Help Treat Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

As it's frequently misdiagnosed for MS, it's really no surprise this research resembles results found for Multiple Schlerosis...  

Melittin Restores Proteasome Function in an Animal Model of ALS
J Neuroinflammation, 2011 Jun 20;8(1):69

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a paralyzing disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of motor neurons and occurs both as a sporadic and familial disease.

Mutant SOD1 (mtSOD1) in motor neurons induces vulnerability to the disease through protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, cytoskeletal abnormalities, defective axonal transport- and growth factor signaling, excitotoxicity, and neuro-inflammation.

Melittin is a 26 amino acid protein and is one of the components of bee venom which is used in traditional Chinese medicine to inhibit of cancer cell proliferation and is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic effects.

The purpose of the present study was to determine if melittin could suppress motor neuron loss and protein misfolding in the hSOD1G93A mouse, which is commonly used as a model for inherited ALS. Meltittin was injected at the ZuSanLi (ST36) acupuncture point in the hSOD1G93A animal model.

Melittin-treated animals showed a decrease in the number of microglia and in the expression level of phospho-p38 in the spinal cord and brainstem. Interestingly, melittin treatment in symptomatic ALS animals improved motor function and reduced the level of neuron death in the spinal cord when compared to the control group.

Furthermore, we found increased of alpha-synuclein modifications, such as phosphorylation or nitration, in both the brainstem and spinal cord in hSOD1G93A mice. However, melittin treatment reduced alpha-synuclein misfolding and restored the proteasomal activity in the brainstem and spinal cord of symptomatic hSOD1G93A transgenic mice.

Our research suggests a potential functional link between melittin and the inhibition of neuroinflammation in an ALS animal model.

Bee Venom Therapy May Help Treat Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, ALS

Bee Venom is powerful and if used correctly can do wonders to the body, this I have seen. In Paris, they've started a clinical study on the effects of BV for Parkinson's Disease...

Effects of Bee Venom on Glutamate-Induced Toxicity in Neuronal and Glial Cells
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM), 30 May 2011

Bee venom (BV), which is extracted from honeybees, is used in traditional Korean medical therapy. Several groups have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of BV in osteoarthritis both in vivo and in vitro.

Glutamate is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Changes in glutamate release and uptake due to alterations in the activity of glutamate transporters have been reported in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

To assess if BV can prevent glutamate-mediated neurotoxicity, we examined cell viability and signal transduction in glutamate-treated neuronal and microglial cells in the presence and absence of BV.

We induced glutamatergic toxicity in neuronal cells and microglial cells and found that BV protected against cell death. Furthermore, BV significantly inhibited the cellular toxicity of glutamate, and pretreatment with BV altered MAP kinase activation (e.g., JNK, ERK, and p38) following exposure to glutamate.

These findings suggest that treatment with BV may be helpful in reducing glutamatergic cell toxicity in neurodegenerative diseases.

Apitherapy Rx for Health, Products from the Beehive by Turtle Shell Health | Blog Talk Radio

Apitherapy Rx for Health Naturally from the Beehive 03/30 by Turtle Shell Health | Blog Talk Radio

a great explanation from friend and fellow Apitherapist, Frederique Keller, L.Ac., Herbalist and creator of BeePharm Apitherapy Rx for Health products... the medicinal use of raw honey, bee pollen, bee bread, royal jelly, bee venom and much more!

Bee Venom for the Treatment of Parkinson Disease

Great news for advocates of BVT and sufferers of Parkinsons...
C'est curieux ça va passer en France... Happy Thérapie pour tous








Bee Venom for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease (MIREILLE)
ClinicalTrials.gov



This study is ongoing, but not recruiting participants.

 
Sponsor: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris 
Information provided by: Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris 
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01341431 
Official Title: Evaluation of the Symptomatic and Neuroprotective Effects of Bee Venom for the Treatment of Parkinson Disease

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of repeated (monthly) injections of bee venom on motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease over a period of one year, also the potential effects of this treatment on disease progression compared to placebo (saline injections)…

Bee Venom Therapy for Scars | scartreatmentblog.com

A short article - look at the before and after photos at the end of the article - impressive!

Bee Venom Therapy for Scars | scartreatmentblog.com

"According to limited sources* bee venom therapy (BVT) is an effective scar treatment. * (Singh, Ratner et al and Lee)

Having scars stung by bees resulted in improvement of scar appearance by reducing, soften, and flatten scar tissue, and toning down the color of the scar.

Of the 18 substances present in bee venom the enzyme hyaluronidase is mainly held accountable for these results. Also internal scar tissue is thought to benefit from this alternative therapy.

“Charles Mraz, a beekeeper in Middlebury, Vermont who has popularized bee venom therapy for the past 60 years, says that it is reasonable to try bee venom therapy in any clinical situation where nothing else works.” [...] “Keloids and other scar tissue are broken down and softened by the substances in the venom, and can flatten out and fade in color.” source: CareCure Forums

This alternative scar treatment isn’t suitable for people who are allergic to bee stings so the first step should be an allergy test.

More info and before and after photo’s of someone who has actually applied bee stings to a scar here: before and after."
  

Apitherapy News: Meet the Beekeeper Who's Championing the Healing Power of Pure Honey

Apitherapy News: Meet the Beekeeper Who's Championing the Healing Power of Pure Honey

One of the good things about being a beekeeper is that the "all-natural pharmacy" is just in the backyard. In fact, yesterday, I stung my left elbow with 2 bees. Why, you ask? Because I want to eliminate the localised pain that I've noticed, won't go away. It's been there for over 6 weeks. And as Charlie Mraz often said, "if you've got an ache, just sting it. The worst that can happen is nothing or just a little swelling. But the upside is that, the pain may disappear." And thanks to my personal experiences, I'm willing to continue trying a natural approach...