Experimental Study of Antigenicity of Sweet Bee Venom in Guinea Pigs

(6) Journal of Pharmacopuncture, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 23∼32, 2011

Experimental Study of Antigenicity of Sweet Bee Venom in Guinea Pigs

Byung Jun Cho, Ki Rok Kwon

Abstract

Objectives: This study was performed to examine the antigenic potential of pure melittin (Sweet Bee Venom - SBV) extracted from bee venom by utilizing the protein isolation method of gel filtration.

Methods: All experiments were conducted at Biotoxtech (Chungwon, Korea), an authorized non-clinical studies institution, under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP). The antigenic potential of SBV was examined by using active systemic anaphylaxis (ASA) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in guinea pigs. SBV was subcutaneously administered at 0.07 and 0.28 mg/kg and as a suspension with adjuvant (Freund’s complete adjuvant: FCA). Ovalbumin (OVA) as a suspension with adjuvant was used to induce a positive control response (5mg/ml- FCA).

Results:

• 1. In the ASA test, experimental groups showed some symptoms, such as piloerection, hyperpnea and staggering gait of anaphylaxis.

• 2. In the PCA test, the low-dosage group did not show any antibody responses whereas the high-dosage group showed positive responses.

• 3. In the weight measurement and clinical observation, experimental groups showed no significant changes compared with the control group.

• 4. In the autopsy of the body, abnormalities of the lung were detected, which means that death may have been induced by anaphylactic shock.

Conclusion: The above findings suggest that SBV has an antigenic potential in guinea pigs. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidence.

Key Words: melittin; Sweet Bee Venom; antigenicity; ASA; PCA