IY-81149 sodium is primarily used in research settings as a selective inhibitor of the enzyme soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH). This enzyme is involved in the metabolism of bioactive lipid mediators known as epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which play roles in inflammation, pain, and vascular function. By inhibiting sEH, IY-81149 sodium helps increase the levels of EETs, leading to anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and potential cardiovascular protective effects. It is commonly applied in preclinical studies to investigate conditions such as neuropathic pain, inflammatory diseases, and hypertension. Due to its ability to modulate pain pathways without targeting opioid receptors, it is of interest in the development of non-addictive pain therapies. Additionally, its role in reducing neuroinflammation makes it a tool compound in neuroscience research, particularly in models of neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury.