Bee venom (BV) has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, and for the relief of pain in traditional oriental medicine.
The aim of this study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effect of BV on monosodium urate (MSU)-induced gouty arthritis in a mouse model.
To develop a mouse model of acute gouty arthritis, 4 mg 50 μL
BV and APM treatment suppressed inflammatory paw edema in MSU-administered mice. It also exerted anti-inflammatory effects in mice with gouty arthritis by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production and inflammasome formation. Interestingly, MSU crystal formation was decreased by BV and APM treatment.
These results suggest that the APM from BV might be useful for the treatment of gouty arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory activities.