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Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and antimicrobial properties are important in many applications in the field of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics to preserve the quality of dentin in a bond or to prevent reinfection and failure in root canal treated teeth. Many natural products are being explored for the above properties as they are safer compared to synthetic ones.

Aim: Present study aims to check for the antibacterial action of small onion and large onion peel extracts against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), and their Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory action.

Materials and methods: Ethanolic extracts of small onion and large onion peels were prepared and their Minimum inhibitory concentration, Minimum bactericidal concentration, and zone of inhibition determined. Computational Drug Designing and Characterization of Phytocompounds present in the extract was done by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Profiling. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were performed for the characterization. Molecular docking (in-silico) was performed using AutoDock open source free software by using editing options and other default parameters for enzymatic interactions and affinities.

Results: Both onion peel extracts had good antibacterial properties against both S mutans and  E faecalis as determined by their Minimum inhibitory concentration, Minimum bactericidal concentration, and zone of inhibition. They were found to have many phytochemicals notably, β-sitosterol and quercetin. Small onion peel extract had greater quantities of β-sitosterol and quercetin than large onion peel extract in Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometric analysis. Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry revealed that the extracts were transparent in the wavelength range studied and had the characteristic peaks. Fourier transform infrared Spectroscopy  confirmed the presence of benzene derivative and anhydride. Molecular docking for enzymatic inhibition using in-silico docking study found that both the extracts have Matrix metalloproteinase 2 & 9 inhibition equivalent to control Galardin.