1 It is used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatisms, cold, skin illnesses and inflammations. Endophytes are present in almost all plant species and have been recognized as a potential source of novel medicinal compounds. 2 As reviewed, 3 51% of the biologically active substances isolated from endophytes were previously unknown. Although a number of bio-pharmacological compounds with antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities have been previously isolated from entophytes, 4 information related to their antioxidant activities is very scanty. 5 Endophytic populations, like rhizospheric

populations, are conditioned by biotic and abiotic factors. 6 Actinomycetes have been looked FK228 upon as a separate

group of microorganisms occupying a position between the true fungi and the true bacteria. The actinomycetes are noteworthy find more as antibiotic producers, making 75% of all known products and the Streptomyces are especially profilic. 7 They are the major microbes in the soil micro-ecosystem 8 and an amount of actinomycetes have already been isolated and identified. 9 Many efforts have been made to select and isolate actinomycetes from other biotopes, such as lake water, 10 marine sediments, 11 plant surface and plant tissues. 12 Roots of healthy Catharanthus roseus plants were collected from Loyola College campus located in the Garden, they were taken to the laboratory and processed immediately after collection. The species was identified and authenticated by Dr. Agastian, Head, Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology, Loyola College, India. The procedure for surface sterilization was done according to the standard reference method proposed by Fisher and Petrini.13 Roots of Catharanthus roseus (0.5–1.0 cm in diameter) were washed in running tap water

to remove soil particles. After washing, it was followed by surface sterilization with 3–5% sodium hypochlorite for 3 min, followed by rinsing with sterile distilled water and then treated Cediranib (AZD2171) with ethanol 70% for 30 s. Then each root was split into pieces of 1.0 cm to expose cortex and vascular bundles. They were then aseptically transferred to petri dishes containing starch casein agar medium for actinomycetes and 2.5% water agar medium for fungal isolation. Nalidixic acid and Actidione (50 μg/ml) were added to starch casein agar medium to suppress fungal growth. Streptomycin (250 mg/L) was added to water agar medium to suppress bacterial growth. Plates were incubated at 28 °C for a maximum of three weeks. Actinomycetes and fungi growing on the medium were isolated, subcultured and identified. The isolated actinomycetes and fungi were mass produced by inoculating them in Modified Nutrient Glucose broth (MNGB) and Potato dextrose broth (Himedia, Mumbai) respectively.