The Analgesic Effect of Bee Venom Aqua-acupuncture and Its Mechanism in the Rat Model with adjuvant-induced Arthritis

봉독약침(蜂毒藥鍼)이 Adjuvant 유발(誘發) 관절염(關節炎)에 미치는 진통효과(鎭痛效果) 및 그 기전(機轉)에 관한 연구(硏究)

Introduction : In this study, the analgesic effect and its mechanism of bee venom aqua-acupuncture on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats was investigated. It has been reported from a neurochemical standpoint that bee venom exerts antinociceptive effects on inflammation and that the opioid system and adrenergic system play important roles in acupuncture analgesia. however, it is not known whether central opioid and ${\alpha}2$-adrenergic components of the intrinsic descending analgesic system are activated after bee venom aqua-acupuncture. Methods : Bee venom(1mg/kg) was subcutaneously aqua-acupunctured into Joksamni($ST_{36}$) of rats with complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA)- induced arthritis and was checked of increase in TFL. Opioid and ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic neurotransmitter system were examined by naloxone as an opioid receptor antagonist, and yohimbine as ${\alpha}_2$-adrenoceptor antagonist prior to bee venom aqua-acupuncture. Results : The following results have been obtained. 1. The tail flick latency in the rat model with adjuvant-induced arthritis was significantly decreased in 2 weeks. 2. The tail flick latency in the rat model with adjuvant-induced arthritis was increased in bee venom aqua-acupuncture group compared to the normal saline aqua-acupuncture group. 3. Analgesic effect of bee venom was antagonized by yohimbine not by naloxone pretreatment in the rat model adjuvant-induced arthritis. Conclusions : Bee venom aqua-acupuncture has an analgesic effect on the rat model of adjuvant-induced of adjuvant-induced arthritis and has antinociception mediated by ${\alpha}_2$-adrenergic system.