Tauroursodeoxycholic acid is widely used in the treatment of liver diseases, particularly cholestatic liver disorders such as primary biliary cholangitis. It helps protect liver cells by reducing bile acid toxicity and stabilizing cell membranes. The compound promotes bile flow and reduces the accumulation of toxic bile acids, which can damage hepatocytes.

It is also studied for its anti-apoptotic properties, meaning it can help prevent programmed cell death in stressed cells. This makes it a candidate for research in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, where cellular protection is crucial.

In ophthalmology, tauroursodeoxycholic acid has shown potential in reducing retinal cell death and is being explored for use in diseases such as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration.

Additionally, it has been used in cell culture applications to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, improving the viability of cells under stress conditions. This property is particularly useful in biopharmaceutical production and research settings involving protein expression.