Mustard seed, wall rocket and turmeric extracts show potential against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro Researchers in Spain have identified plant extracts that may be of interest in the search for treatments of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and serve as a basis for future chemical, in vivo, and clinical trials. The team – from the Polytechnic University of Valencia – identified 17 plant products commonly used in current and traditional cuisine that have previously shown promise as inhibitors of a coronavirus protein called chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLPro). This protein is required for successful replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.