Antiviral activity of Hellenia speciosa (J. Koenig) S.R. Dutta rhizome metabolites against human adenovirus: insights from molecular docking and in vitro studies

Background Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) cause a wide range of clinical diseases, yet effective antiviral therapies remain limited. Natural products, particularly medicinal plants, offer potential sources of antiviral agents. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the antiviral potential of Hellenia speciosa (J.Koenig) S.R.Dutta [syn. Costus speciosus (J.Koenig) Sm.; Costaceae] rhizome against HAdVs using both in vitro and in silico approaches. Methods Rhizome extracts were tested on Vero cells to assess cytotoxicity and antiviral activity. GC–MS identified bioactive metabolites, which were screened against adenoviral DNA polymerase using molecular docking. Results Docking predicted strong interactions of selected metabolites with the viral polymerase, guiding selection for in vitro assays. The methanolic extract exhibited low cytotoxicity and potent antiviral effects, while the ethanolic extract also showed notable activity. Selectivity indices indicated a favorable therapeutic window. Conclusion H. speciosa rhizome contains bioactivemetabolites with potential anti-adenoviral activity. While preliminary results are promising, further in vivo and clinical studies are required to confirm pharmacological relevance.