Bee venom has interesting effects on the body. It produces an effect locally (good for aching joints) and systemically (stimulating adrenal glands), which is why I consider those unexpected bee stings a boost for my immune system...
Neuroprotective
Effects of Bee Venom by suppression of Neuroinflammatory Responses in Mouse
Model of Parkinson’s Disease: Role of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells
Journal of Immunology, 2012, May
Abstract:
In the
present study, we examined whether bee venom (BV) promotes the survival of
nigrostriatal dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the MPTP-induced Parkinson’s disease
(PD) mice model.
Treatment
of BV prevented degeneration of nigrostriatal DA neurons, increased striatal
dopamine levels, and improved motor function. This neuroprotection afforded by
bee venom was associated with the suppression of microglia and inhibition of
recruitment of CD4+ T cells.
Additionally,
CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells were significantly increased in vivo and in vitro
after treatment of BV.
Therefore,
we carefully propose that neuroprotection of BV might be associated with its
anti-inflammatory properties and could be employed as novel therapeutic agents
for PD and other disorders associated with neuroinflammation.