Used in research as a potent and selective inhibitor of acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), an enzyme involved in cholesterol esterification. This activity makes it valuable in studies related to lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and potential anti-atherogenic therapies. It has also shown antitumor properties in some cancer cell lines, supporting its use in oncology research. Additionally, due to its unique structure, it serves as a lead compound for developing new bioactive agents.