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Other common
name(s): bee venom therapy (BVT), bee venom, venom
immunotherapy, bee pollen
Scientific/medical
name(s): none
Description
Apitherapy refers to the use of various products of the common
honeybee in alternative remedies. These include venom, propolis (a
substance made by bees that is used to coat the inside of hives), raw
honey, royal jelly, and pollen.
Overview
Although antitumor properties of some of the ingredients in
bee products have been studied in the laboratory, there have been no
clinical studies in humans showing that bee venom or other honeybee
products are effective in preventing or treating cancer.
How is it promoted for use?
Practitioners claim bee venom contains an anti-inflammatory
agent that relieves chronic pain and can be used to treat various
diseases, including several types of arthritis, neurological problems
such as multiple sclerosis, lower back pain, and migraine headaches,
and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and herpes.
Others claim that raw honey is an energy-building source
containing minerals and B complex vitamins. Proponents claim it has
antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties.
Proponents claim bee pollen contains many nutrients required
by the human body and that it has five to seven times more protein than
beef. Pieces of honeycomb containing pollen are said to be effective
for treating allergies. Ingesting bee pollen is also claimed to
increase endurance, energy, and overall performance. Some people
believe some of the active ingredients in bee products may have
possible anti-cancer effects.
What does it involve?
The usual bee venom treatment uses live bees, which sting the
patient at a specific site, with the procedure repeated over a period
of time. Injections can also be used. For example, for arthritis
patients, proponents suggest that the venom be injected at trigger
points daily for four to six weeks.
Besides bee venom, the other most popular forms of apitherapy
treatments are honey and pollen. They are most commonly taken as pills,
powders, and injections. In China, raw honey is applied directly to
burns as an antiseptic and painkiller. Other methods may also be used.
Bee products are widely available in pharmacies, health food
stores, shops that specialize in bee products, and over the Internet.
What is the history behind it?
Various forms of apitherapy have been used by many cultures
since ancient times. There is even a reference in the Koran about the
medicinal properties of the liquid ("liquor") produced by bees. The
cultivation of the hive has been written about as early as 800 BC.
Charlemagne (742-814 AD) is said to have been treated with bee stings.
In 1888, Austrian physician Phillip Terc advocated the deliberate use
of bee stings as a treatment for rheumatism.
Apitherapy continues to be a popular form of alternative
therapy. Studies on the use of bee products or their components to
treat various conditions have appeared in the medical literature for at
least the past 70 years.
What is the evidence?
Most research on bee venom has focused on the use of
immunotherapy to prevent allergic reactions to bee stings. However,
several animal and laboratory studies have looked at the anti-cancer
effects of some ingredients of bee products, such as propolis and
melittin.
Propolis is a natural compound made by honeybees to coat the
inside of their hives. Some of its ingredients have shown antioxidant
and antitumor properties in early laboratory and animal studies, but it
has not been tested in people.
Melittin is a main component of bee venom. It is thought to
kill cells it contacts by breaking them open. It also appears to have
anti-inflammatory properties. According to some researchers, melittin
shows activity against cancer cells grown in laboratory dishes.
Scientists in Australia have changed the structure of the melittin
molecule by removing the part that causes allergic reactions in some
patients, keeping its cell-killing ability, and combining the molecule
with an antibody to target cancer cells. Using this approach, they have
been able to show some anti-cancer activity in studies using mice.
Studies in people have not been reported in the available medical
literature.
Some early studies have also looked at possible anticancer
properties of honey. A study from Japan found that solutions containing
honey had some effect against bladder cancer cells in the laboratory
and against bladder tumors in mice. No studies have been reported in
humans in the medical literature.
While the results from laboratory studies are encouraging,
many substances, both natural and manmade, show anti-cancer activity in
the laboratory but turn out not to work in people. Further studies are
needed to determine whether these promising but early results with bee
products will apply to humans.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Some people have extreme allergic reactions to bee stings, the
most severe of which can prove fatal. Asthma attacks and one death have
been attributed to the use of royal jelly. People with weakened immune
systems should be cautious about consuming honey, as it may contain
bacteria or fungi.
The possible effects of bee venom on pregnancy have not been
well studied. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should speak with
their doctors before using this treatment. Relying on this type of
treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for
cancer may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Cassileth B. The
Alternative Medicine Handbook. New York, NY: W. W. Norton
& Co; 1998.
Chen CN, Wu CL, Lin JK. Propolin C from propolis induces
apoptosis through activating caspases, Bid and cytochrome c release in
human melanoma cells. Biochem
Pharmacol. 2004 Jan 1;67(1):53-66.
Chen CN. Wu CL. Lin JK. Apoptosis of human melanoma cells
induced by the novel compounds propolin A and propolin B from Taiwenese
propolis. Cancer Letters.
245(1-2):218-31, 2007.
Li H, Kapur A, Yang JX, Srivastava S, McLeod DG,
Paredes-Guzman JF, Daugsch A, Park YK, Rhim JS. Antiproliferation of
human prostate cancer cells by ethanolic extracts of Brazilian propolis
and its botanical origin. Int
J Oncol. 2007;31:601-606.
Rao CV, Desai D, Simi B, Kulkarni N, Amin S, Reddy BS.
Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid esters on azoxymethane-induced
biochemical changes and aberrant crypt foci formation in rat colon. Cancer Res.
1993;53:4182-4188.
Russell PJ, Hewish D, Carter T, Sterling-Levis K, Ow K,
Hattarki M, Doughty L, Guthrie R, Shapira D, Molloy PL, Werkmeister JA,
Kortt AA. Cytotoxic properties of immunoconjugates containing
melittin-like peptide 101 against prostate cancer: in vitro and in vivo
studies. Cancer Immunol
Immunother. 2004;53(5):411-421.
Shimizu K, Das SK, Hashimoto T, Sowa Y,. Yoshida T, Sakai T,
Matsuura Y, Kanazawa K, Artepillin C in Brazilian propolis induces
G(0)/G(1) arrest via stimulation of Cip1/p21 expression in human colon
cancer cells. Molecular
Carcinogenesis. 44(4):293-9, 2005.
Swellam T, Miyanaga N, Onozawa M, Hattori K, Kawai K, Shimazui
T, Akaza H. Antineoplastic activity of honey in an experimental bladder
cancer implantation model: in vivo and in vitro studies. Int J Urol.
2003;10(4):213-219.
Winder D, Günzburg WH, Erfle V, Salmons B. Expression
of antimicrobial peptides has an antitumour effect in human cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun.
1998;242:608-612.
Note:
This
information may not cover all possible claims, uses, actions,
precautions, side effects or interactions. It is not intended as
medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultation with your doctor, who is familiar with your medical
situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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