The fruits of Malania oleifera Chun have become well known because its seeds have high oil content (>60%), especially the highest known proportion of nervonic acid (>55%). Malania oleifera Chun oil (MOC oil) can improve learning and memory and its possible mechanisms.

Nervonic acid (NA C24:1), a very long-chain monounsaturated fatty acid, is a major component of mammalian brain nerve fibers and nerve cells. Nervonic acid can repair the damaged brain nerve and promote the regeneration of nerve cells. Nervonic acid has become an effective agent for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications in the prevention and treatment of neurological disorders and associated diseases, including nervonic multiple sclerosis symptoms, Alzheimer’s disease, and Zellweger syndrome. Studies have shown that nervonic acid is essential for improving the health of children and adults with demyelination diseases diseases and enhancing the neurodevelopment of formula-fed and premature babies.

Therefore, it is known that nervonic acid is a bioactive supplement for human health, and the effects of which might be as important and promising as those of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and conjugated linoleic acid.

Malania oleifera Chun oil (MOC oil), extracted from the seeds of M. oleifera, is notable for its substantial phytochemical and phytopharmaceutical value. It has very high content of precious fatty acids (nervonic acid (55.70%), octadecenoic acid (23.81%), docosenoic acid (13.13%), tetracosanoic acid (2.65%), dodecenoic acid (1.28%), and tricosadiynoic acid (0.99%)). The application of nervonic acid to the treatment of myelin sheath diseases can reduce or prevent various mental illnesses and enhance the function of the human brain. Study also showed that M. oleifera seeds also produce glycoprotein malaria, which has high cytotoxic activity against tumor cells and is one of the most effective toxins of plant origin.

Since MOC oil is rich in nervonic acid, it is a promising source of natural nervonic acid to promote neurohealth. However, there is no animal test study on the improvement of learning and memory function by MOC oil.