Jervine is primarily known for its biological activity and has been studied for its potential applications in pharmacological and toxicological research. It exhibits teratogenic effects, meaning it can cause developmental malformations in embryos, which makes it a compound of interest in developmental biology studies to understand mechanisms of fetal development and birth defects. It also demonstrates antimitotic and cytotoxic properties, suggesting possible relevance in cancer research. These properties interfere with cell division, particularly through disruption of microtubule formation, which is a common target in chemotherapy agents. Due to this mode of action, jervine has been investigated for its potential as a lead compound in developing anticancer drugs. Additionally, jervine acts as a modulator of the Hedgehog signaling pathway, a critical pathway in embryonic development and certain cancers. Inhibition of this pathway may have therapeutic implications, especially in tumors dependent on Hedgehog signaling, such as basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma. Because of its high toxicity and narrow therapeutic window, jervine is not used clinically but remains a valuable tool in research settings for probing cellular and molecular pathways.