| Summary: | This work describes an untargeted analytical approach for the screening, identification, and characterization of the trans-epithelial transport of green tea (<i>Camellia sinensis</i>) catechin extracts with in vitro inhibitory effect against the SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) activity. After specific catechin extraction, a chromatographic separation obtained six fractions were carried out. The fractions were assessed in vitro against the PLpro target. Fraction 5 showed the highest inhibitory activity against the SARS-CoV-2 PLpro (IC<sub>50</sub> of 0.125 μg mL<sup>−1</sup>). The untargeted characterization revealed that (−)-epicatechin-3-gallate (ECG) was the most abundant compound in the fraction and the primary molecule absorbed by differentiated Caco-2 cells. Results indicated that fraction 5 was approximately 10 times more active than ECG (IC<sub>50</sub> value equal to 11.62 ± 0.47 μg mL<sup>−1</sup>) to inhibit the PLpro target. Overall, our findings highlight the synergistic effects of the various components of the crude extract compared to isolated ECG.
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