Rottlerin is primarily used in scientific research as a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C delta (PKCδ). It helps in studying cell signaling pathways related to apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Researchers use rottlerin to investigate its role in cancer cell death, as it has shown pro-apoptotic effects in various tumor cell lines. It is also employed in studies on autophagy and mitochondrial function due to its ability to disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential. Additionally, rottlerin has been explored for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties in models of neurological diseases. Its application remains largely confined to laboratory settings, particularly in cellular and molecular biology experiments.