A new study has disclosed that venom from bee stings can be helpful in treating and even preventing arthritis.

The research group from University of Sao Paulo in Brazil discovered that bee venom can control the harmful swelling in joints that causes rheumatoid arthritis. The venom from bee is rich in molecules, which lead to an increase in natural hormones in the human body that control swelling.

The researchers thought that the bee venom can be utilized to make new treatments that can help bring relief from arthritis pain and even stop it from developing in the first place.

Lead author Suzana Beatriz Veríssimo de Mello, who teaches rheumatology at the University of S and #65533; GBP o Paulo, stated that bee venom results in increased levels of anti-inflammatory hormones known as glucocorticoids.

Suzana Beatriz Veríssimo de Mello said, "Bee venom is a complex mixture of substances that are known to induce immune and allergic responses in humans."

"Nevertheless, bee venom has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis for centuries. However, the placebo effect has been described in studies investigating bee venom anti-inflammatory properties in arthritic patients. Our data shows that bee venom prevents the development of induced arthritis in rabbits through the action of glucocorticoids," Mello added.

Bee sting therapy, in which patients endure hundreds of stings by bees in the hope of getting better, is often used as a form of alternative medicine to treat a range of conditions like asthma and multiple sclerosis. (With Inputs from Agencies)