Catalpalactone is primarily studied for its potential biological activities, particularly in the field of natural product-based drug discovery. It has shown promising cytotoxic effects against certain cancer cell lines, making it a subject of interest in anticancer research. Its structure allows interaction with cellular targets involved in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation, suggesting possible development as a chemotherapeutic agent. Additionally, catalpalactone exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which could be leveraged in designing treatments for inflammatory diseases. Due to its natural origin and bioactivity, it also serves as a lead compound for synthesizing derivatives to enhance potency and reduce toxicity. Research remains largely in the preclinical stage, focusing on mechanism elucidation and structural optimization.