H-1152 dihydrochloride is a potent and selective inhibitor of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK). It is widely used in cellular and molecular biology research to study the role of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in various cellular processes. The compound effectively suppresses ROCK-mediated phosphorylation of downstream targets, making it a valuable tool for investigating cell motility, cytoskeletal organization, and smooth muscle contraction. In research settings, H-1152 dihydrochloride is applied to inhibit actin stress fiber formation and reduce cell contraction, which helps in understanding mechanisms behind cell migration and adhesion. It has also been used in studies related to neuronal growth, where ROCK inhibition promotes neurite outgrowth, suggesting potential applications in neuroregeneration research. Due to its high selectivity and potency compared to earlier inhibitors like Y-27632, H-1152 dihydrochloride is preferred in experiments requiring precise modulation of ROCK activity. It is commonly used in vitro with cultured cells across various models, including vascular, cancer, and neural cell types, to dissect signaling pathways and assess functional outcomes of ROCK inhibition.