Converting cell text which is a "calculation"

I have cells (probably should not have set them up this way) which are copied from a factorisation application. The contents look this this (* for multiplication)

23*41 or say 101*401*601 for example.

Is there a simple way to create a companion cell with the results of the implied computation in it? (this will help me verify that I copied the original numbers correctly).

My Excel knowledge is rather slight so I have no idea whether this is a simple task or not.