On Thu, 14 Mar 1996  D Gillooly <[log in to unmask]> asked:
 
Would you agree with the theory that bee venom could have  a limited
medicinal use in the treatment of inflammation of joints (conditions
such as arthritis). Is there any cases of credible use and success?
 
Hello all,
 
I don't know if you must agree or not but I found this description
and reference in the BACHEM feinchemikalien AG 1995 catalog:
 
> Item H-7885 Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide (22 AA peptide).
 
> The highly basic MCD peptide is present in small amounts in the venom
> of the european honeybee, Apis mellifera.  At low doses, it causes
> mast cell degranulation and subsequent (subject) histamine release.
> At higher doses, it produces an anti-inflammatory effect, which may be
> beneficial in rheumatic and allergic diseases.
 
> Ref:
> Buku A et al. Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 33 (1989) 86
> Werkman TR et al. Neuroscience 50 (1992) 935
 
Hope this helps
 
 
Jean-Marie Van_Dyck <[log in to unmask]>
 
Lat.Long. : N:50.30' E:04.56'  -  Alt. : 200 m  -  North sea : 200 km