The project titled "Investigation of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Effects and Isolation of Active Compounds of Some Alkaloid-Rich Plant Species Used in Traditional Medicine", carried out by Prof. Dr.  Ali Şen of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, was entitled to be supported within the scope of TÜBİTAK 1001-Scientific and Technological Research Projects Support Programme.

Prof. Dr. Leyla Bitiş from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Research Assistances Aybeniz Yıldırım and Tugçe Dikpinar, Prof. Dr. Azize Şener and Research Assist. Turgut Şekerler from the Department of Biochemistry, Prof.Dr. Kadir Turan from the Department of Pharmacy Basic Sciences, Lect. Dr. Ahmet Doğan and Lect. Dr. İsmail Şenkardeş,  Prof. Dr. Aynur Sari from Istanbul University Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacognosy, Prof.Dr. Halil Kavakl from Koç University Department of Biology and Genetics will take place as a researcher in the project.

Within the scope of the project, the direct effect of active compounds to be obtained by bioactivity-directed isolation method from some alkaloid-rich plant species, which are used internally by the public in traditional treatment, on SARS-CoV-2 will be examined in vitro on virus-infected Vero cells. Thus, it is aimed to find drug active ingredients of natural (herbal) origin that can be effective against the new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).