Used primarily in scientific research as a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor, particularly targeting CDK2, CDK5, CDK7, and CDK9. It is widely applied in studies related to cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and transcription control. Roscovitine induces cell cycle arrest and has shown potential in cancer research by promoting the death of tumor cells, especially in neuroblastoma, leukemia, and non-small cell lung cancer models. It is also investigated for neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit CDK5, which plays a role in neuronal damage. Additionally, roscovitine has been explored for antiviral applications, including activity against certain herpesviruses and HIV, by interfering with host cell machinery that viruses exploit for replication. Its role in promoting apoptosis in damaged or dysfunctional cells makes it a compound of interest in aging and senescence research.