Maackiain is a naturally occurring phytoalexin with notable biological activities, primarily used in agricultural and pharmaceutical research. It exhibits strong antifungal properties, making it valuable in developing plant protection strategies against fungal pathogens, especially in leguminous crops. Its ability to inhibit the growth of fungi like Fusarium and Botrytis species supports its role in enhancing plant disease resistance.

In pharmacology, maackiain shows potential for anticancer applications due to its capacity to induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in certain cancer cell lines. It has also demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which are being explored for use in treating chronic inflammatory conditions and oxidative stress-related diseases. Additionally, maackiain is studied for its antimicrobial activity against select bacteria, contributing to the search for new natural product-based therapeutics. Its role as a biochemical tool helps in understanding plant defense mechanisms and signal transduction pathways in response to stress.