Crotaline is primarily utilized in medical research for its ability to induce pulmonary hypertension in animal models, which helps scientists study the mechanisms and potential treatments for this condition. It is also used in toxicology studies to understand the effects of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, as crotaline is a representative compound of this class. Additionally, it serves as a tool in pharmacological research to investigate liver damage and carcinogenicity, providing insights into the safety and toxicity of related compounds.