422 TAIM, a re-emerging health aid discussed a different issue related to TAIM. Their main points are delineated as described subsequently. Al-Maissam Ethnopharmacology of Medicinal Plants used in TAIM Historical and current studies indicate that the Eastern region of the Mediterranean has been distinguished from other regions by a rich inventory of CAM, in particular herbal medicine. Data also indicate that there is a flour- ishing and well-developed trade of herbs, some of which are rare or endangered species. Unfortunately, with regard to the status of the herbalists’ knowledge, herbal medicine in our region is mostly prescribed symptom- atically by ethnopharmacologists; that is, based on signs and symptoms alone, rather than on a full understand- ing of the underlying disease. In other cases, herbs used today may not even correspond to the plants described originally in the old literature, as the former are culti- vated from herbs that went through different breeding procedures over several centuries (10). TAIM Heritage During the 8th until the 11th centuries, Arab physicians upgraded the existing knowledge about herbs and their potential medical efficacy and safety. Their greatest con- tributions to modern medicine were the immune system and introduction of microbiological science [(22), for more details, see review in Ref. (12)]. The Eastern region of the Mediterranean has been distinguished throughout generations by a rich inventory of natural medicinal herbs (8,22–24). The Middle Eastern region was covered with >2600 plant species of which >700 were noted for their use as medicinal herbs or botanical pesticides. Unfortunately, recent ethnopharmacological surveys reveal that 200–250 plant species are still in use in Arab traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases (8,25–28). There are several factors endangering plant diversity or even causing eradication of these herbs, including habitat loss, habitat degradation and over- harvesting (29). Recent ethnopharmacological surveys conducted by different groups in the Middle East support the necessity of proper handling of herbal medicine which requires suitable regulation and licensing in order to ensure supply of suitable and safe products (13,25). Medicinal plants in the Middle Eastern region and worldwide are becoming increasingly rare due to the ongoing destruction of their natural habitat and detri- mental climatic and environmental changes. As a result, it is predicted that in semi-arid regions such as the Middle East, a number of species will disappear within the next 10 years, particularly in desert or dry areas. This gives an added sense of urgency to initiate preserva- tion programs of regional medicinal plant genetic resources (15). Al-Maissam, the Galilee Society’s Medicinal Plants Center, was established based on in-depth study of TAIM and intended to provide an efficient model for preserving and developing traditional knowledge on Arabic medicinal plants. A comprehensive survey of traditional Palestinian herbal medicine practitioners was conducted in order to assess the current status of the herbal medicinal practice (8,10). Results demonstrated that, unfortunately, most practitioners have very limited knowledge about herbal medicine and younger practi- tioners had even poorer knowledge than their older counterparts, while many practitioners are turning to ‘mystical’ or ‘magical’ methods of healing. In addition, plants used in certain regions are not used in others, the education level of practitioners is in decline, some medic- inal plant species are endangered and plant mixtures are of poorer quality and less variety in comparison to the past (8,10). As a result of this survey, it became clear that indigenous plant knowledge is disappearing across recent generations. The conclusion to be drawn was clear—that traditional Palestinian medicinal practice is suffering and that in time, if action is not taken to ensure its survival, important parts of this heritage may disappear com- pletely and a wide variety of methods of treating various diseases may be lost to humanity. The first effort made by the Galilee Society to revive the Palestinian traditional medicinal heritage was the establishment of Al-Maissam. Al-Maissam, the Galilee Society’s Medicinal Plants Center, was founded in 1999 with main objectives of preserving and rediscovering the ancient Arab legacy of herbal medicine. Its activities include preserving native medicinal plants, preserving and advancing ethnobotany of the native flora, and spreading this knowledge to all levels of society (especially among the younger genera- tion). It is a unique biotechnology center and the first in our region where modern advanced research is used with traditional Arab herbal medicine, rendering it compatible with modern phytotherapy. In vitro Studies In general, in vitro test systems represent the first phase of the evaluation procedure. The in vitro cell culture methods have the advantage of relatively well-controlled variables and are generally accepted as a very effective method for safety testing. Advantages of these systems over classical methods (such as long term studies on experimental animals) include relatively well-controlled variables, decreased costs, a reduced time to completion, and reduced numbers of animals necessary to complete the study. The fact that cells and tissues in vivo do not exist in isolation but communicate with and are inter- dependent of neighboring tissue makes it essential to simulate the in vivo situation (13,14).