β-Galactosidase activity in Drosophila melanogaster (Drosomycin-LacZ reporter) infected with pathogenic Aspergillus species and treated with solvent fractions of Allium sativum (garlic), Allium cepa (onion) and Zingiber officinale (ginger)

Josiah Bitrus Habu, Ponchang Apollos Wuyep, Longchi Satkat Zacchaeus and Ebinbin Ajagun

Advancement in Medicinal Plant Research
Published: September 17 2025
Volume 13, Issue 3
Pages 34-43

Abstract

Fungal infections caused by Aspergillus species pose significant health risks, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Conventional antifungals such as fluconazole remain the primary treatment, but increasing resistance necessitates alternative therapies. Plant-derived bioactive compounds have shown antifungal potential, making them promising candidates for new treatments. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and aqueous fractions of Allium sativum (garlic), Allium cepa (onion), and Zingiber officinale (ginger) against Aspergillus infected Drosophila melanogaster (Drs-LacZ strain). Flies were infected with virulent strains of A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and A. niger and treated with plant fractions at 100–500 mg/mL. A positive control group received fluconazole (50 mg/mL), while a negative control remained untreated. Fly survival was recorded over seven days, and β-galactosidase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. The methanol fraction of Z. officinale produced the highest survival rate (86.67% at 500 mg/mL) in A. flavus infected flies, followed by the ethyl acetate fraction of A. sativum (68.89% at 500 mg/mL). Aqueous fractions had the weakest effects, with A. cepa aqueous fraction yielding 51.11% survival. β-galactosidase activity increased dose-dependently, with the methanol fraction of Z. officinale showing the highest activity (3.58 ± 0.02 nmol/mL/protein). The negative control confirmed pathogen virulence (8.89% survival), whereas fluconazole remained the most effective (93.33% survival, 4.84 ± 0.11 nmol/mL/protein). These findings highlight the antifungal potential of A. sativum, A. cepa, and Z. officinale fractions, particularly methanol and ethyl acetate extracts. Further research is needed to isolate and characterize the active compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action.

Keywords: Antifungal activity, Aspergillus species, fungal infections, immunocompromised hosts, β-Galactosidase activity.

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