Bee venom suppresses methamphetamine-induced conditioned place preference in mice.
OBJECTIVE
Although acupuncture is most commonly used for its analgesic effect, it has also been used to treat various drug addictions including cocaine and morphine in humans. This study was designed to investigate the effect of bee venom injection on methamphetamine-induced addictive behaviors including conditioned place preference and hyperlocomotion in mice.


METHODS
Methamphetamine (1 mg/kg) was subcutaneously treated on days 1, 3 and 5 and the acquisition of addictive behaviors was assessed on day 7. After confirming extinction of addictive behaviors on day 17, addictive behaviors reinstated by priming dose of methamphetamine (0.1 mg/kg) was evaluated on day 18. Bee venom (20 microl of 1 mg/ml in saline) was injected to the acupuncture point ST36 on days 1, 3 and 5.


RESULTS
Repeated bee venom injections completely blocked development of methamphetamine-induced acquisition and subsequent reinstatement. Single bee venom acupuncture 30 minutes before acquisition and reinstatement test completely inhibited methamphetamine-induced acquisition and reinstatement. Repeated bee venom acupunctures from day 8 to day 12 after methamphetamine-induced acquisition partially but significantly suppressed reinstatement.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that bee venom acupuncture has a preventive and therapeutic effect on methamphetamine-induced addiction.
Kwon
Young Bae
YB
Department of Pharmacology, Institute for Medical Science, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju 516-180, Korea.
Li
Jing
J
Kook
Ji Ae
JA
Kim
Tae Wan
TW
Jeong
Young Chan
YC
Son
Ji Seon
JS
Lee
Hyejung
H
Kim
Kee Won
KW
Lee
Jang Hern
JH
D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008694:Methamphetamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D013028:Space Perception / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D001514:Bee Venoms; D002491:Central Nervous System Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008694:Methamphetamine