Biogenic Synthesis of Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles Using <i>Allium cepa</i> Peel Extract: A Potential Investigation of an In Silico Approach Against Dengue Virus

ABSTRACT Biogenic ZrO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using phytochemicals derived from the Allium cepa peel as a green source, and their possible inhibitory effect against the dengue virus's NS1 protein was examined using in silico analysis. On the basis of the x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and FE‐SEM analytical methods, the average NP size is about 21.58 nm, and the crystalline size is 17.74 nm. According to the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the synthesized ZrO 2 NPs showed viable antioxidant properties with an IC 50 value of 10.23 µg/mL. The disc diffusion method demonstrated significant antifungal activity of the NPs against Pyricularia oryzae and Bipolaris sorokiniana , with the inhibition rates of 30.48% and 45%, respectively. The inhibitory qualities and drug‐likeness of extracted phytochemicals have been assessed using in silico techniques such as molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, focusing on the DENV‐2 envelope protein NS1 (PDB: 4O6B). To highlight the potential of A. cepa peel in the eco‐friendly production of ZrO 2 NPs with encouraging antioxidant and antifungal properties, this study also offers a route for the development of antiviral medicines via in silico analysis.