Some of the Arabic Medicinal Plants used in traditional medicine to treat liver diseases represent a potential source for antioxidant ingredients which will require intensive research as to the fractionation of the extracts and in vivo studies on animal models. Research continues in cooperation with the Technion Institute and Hacarmel hospital using some of the extracts on animal model. Some extracts are also tested for their effectiveness in treating cancer and diabetic diseases. Through these studies, scientists attempt to identify and select medicinal plant extracts effective in mechanism-based therapy of various types of cancer. Biological Pest Control.
Biological pesticides are less toxic to plants and humans than their synthetic counterparts.
Botanical pesticides are currently under development from local plants to control insects and the growth of bacteria and fungi. Several plant species have been found to contain active compounds toxic to flies, mites and thrips. In addition, strains of enthomopathogenic fungi were isolated and their effects on controlling agricultural insects were tested under field conditions. Two isolates have been found effective in controlling thrips in cucumbers cultivated in a greenhouse. New inverted emulsion based formulations will be devised for these isolates.