A new type of remedy has been developed in order to help arthritis sufferers ease their pain. What is particularly interesting about this new remedy is its rather unconventional source - bee venom.
Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, which affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children, according to the Arthritis Foundation. It is composed of many different types, not just a single one. Their common symptoms include swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Steroid-based drugs have been proven to help reduce the inflammation. However, the relief is only known to last for a few hours. Meanwhile, a new drug derived from bee venom has shown promising success, at times lasting for several weeks.
Medicine derived from bee venom had been developed before. However, it was deemed ineffective as it travels directly through the bloodstream. The injectable that was developed was thought to be more efficient as it targets the inflammation immediately.
Scientists from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis developed the substance which contains melittin, which is a peptide that has anti-inflammatory that disrupts the erosion of cartilage, the body's built-in "shock absorber," as written in the Daily Mail. However, scientists reveal a potential effect of allergic reactions.
The result, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was deemed favorable when the researchers conducted the experiment on mice. The substance was injected and showed that the inflammation in their cartilages lessened.
In an article written on the Healthline, a more recent study administered on rabbits proved that the utilization of bee venom, assisted by the hormones called glucocorticoids, demonstrate the decline in speed of the progress of inflammatory arthritis.
In a recent interview, Natalie Carter, head of research liaison at Arthritis Research UK, admitted that "it's not yet clear whether the nanoparticles [derived from the bee venom] will be effective once osteoarthritis has developed in the joint." Currently, there is no known cure for osteoarthritis, which is the most common chronic condition of the joints.
