JSFiddle - React, Tailwind, and code Playground

HTML

<p class="highlight">
    test * test test
</p>

<p>
    test * test test
</p>

<p class="highlight">
    test * test test
</p>

CSS

.asterisk {
    color:#f00;
}

JavaScript

$('.highlight').each(function(){
  this.innerHTML = this.innerHTML.replace(/\*/g, '<span class="asterisk">*</span>');
});