Antiviral Activity of Hellenia speciosa (J. Koenig) S.R. Dutta Rhizome Metabolites Against Human Adenovirus: Insights from Molecular Docking and In Vitro Studies

SARA ALNHHAS^1*Thamer Bouback^1*Abdulaziz Albeshri¹Tasneem Alsahafi¹Faisal Al-Sarraj¹Faten A. Al-sulaimany¹Mohamed Ahmed Ali²Yassmin Moatasim²Omnia Kutkat²Mohamed Gaballah²Raied Badierah³Eman O. Taibah⁴Yaaser Q. Almulaiky^5,6Fawaz Al-zughaibi⁷Mohammed Mufrrih⁸Saleh M. Al-Maaqar^1,9Suzan M Fathuldeen¹⁰

• ¹Department of Biological sciences, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ²Center of ScientiFIc Excellence for Influenza Viruses, Environmental Research Division, National Research Centre (NRC), 12622, Cairo, Egypt
• ³Medical Laboratory, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁴Virology laboratory, Lab specialist , King Abdulaziz University Hospital, jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁵The Applied College , University of Jeddah, jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁶Chemistry Department, Faculty of Applied Science, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
• ⁷Microbiology Department, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital tal PMBAH, Medina, Saudi Arabia
• ⁸Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
• ⁹Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Albaydha University, Al-Baydha, Yemen
• ¹⁰Laboratory Department ,University Medical Services Center, King Abdulaziz University, 21589, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Word count: 162 Abstract 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.