Do Bee Stings Work for Rheumatoid Arthritis? Yes

ow.effects of bee venom on synovial cells, the cells that
line the joints, obtained from human RA patients. They
Apitherapy, the therapeutic use of honeybee products,found melittin was able to block the expression of
has been studied in a number of conditions includinginflammatory genes, similar to the way non-steroidal
rheumatoid arthritis (RA). How bee venom works inanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) used to treat RA,
this disease has been a mystery… until now.act. Melittin effectively reduces inflammation by
A recent study investigated the molecular mechanismsinhibiting the critical DNA binding activity of NF-kB
behind bee venom's impact on rheumatoid arthritis(Nuclear Factor kappa B), which directly controls a
(RA), a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disease. Itnumber of genes involved in immune reactions. As a
appears that melittin, a major component of beeresult, melittin is able to effectively inactivate
venom is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.inflammation in a very specific fashion.
To gain a better understanding of bee venom'sThe authors concluded, "The potency of melittin in the
potential benefits for RA patients, the researchersinhibition of the inflammatory response may be of
examined its action in a rat model of rheumatoidgreat benefit in degenerative and inflammatory
arthritis. For rats with advanced RA, treatment withdiseases such as RA.  The extent of inhibitory
bee venom at very low doses resulted in dramaticeffects of melittin in most parameters determined in
reductions of tissue swelling and bone spur formationthe present study is similar to or greater than bee
on affected paws. The authors surmised that " thevenom itself, suggesting that melittin may be a major
anti-arthritic effects of bee venom are related to thecausative component in the pharmacologic effects of
anti-inflammatory effects of bee venom."bee venom.
Next, the researchers examined the anti-inflammatory