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