Perilla ketone is primarily known for its use in research related to respiratory toxicology. It has been studied for its potent pneumotoxic effects, particularly in livestock, where it can cause acute lung injury when animals graze on plants containing the compound. Due to this biological activity, it serves as a tool in experimental models to induce pulmonary edema and study the mechanisms of lung damage and repair.

In addition, perilla ketone has been investigated for its potential role in understanding cytochrome P450 enzyme activity, as its toxicity is metabolically activated by these enzymes in the body. This makes it useful in pharmacological and toxicological studies aiming to evaluate metabolic pathways and enzyme inhibition.

Although not widely used in commercial applications due to its toxicity, it has drawn interest in the field of natural product chemistry and plant toxin research, helping scientists assess the safety of herbal medicines and forage crops.