Biliverdin hydrochloride is primarily utilized in biochemical research to study its role as an intermediate in the heme catabolism pathway. It is often employed in experiments investigating oxidative stress and cellular responses to damage, as it is a byproduct of heme breakdown. Additionally, it is used in studies related to antioxidant mechanisms, as biliverdin and its derivatives exhibit potential protective effects against oxidative damage. In medical research, it is explored for its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, which may have therapeutic implications in conditions like ischemia-reperfusion injury and neurodegenerative diseases. Biliverdin hydrochloride is also used in the development of diagnostic tools and assays to measure heme oxygenase activity, a key enzyme in heme metabolism.