Nervonic acid is a long chain unsaturated fatty acid that is enriched in sphingomyelin. It consists of choline, sphingosine, phosphoric acid, and fatty acid. Nervonic acid may enhance the brain functions and prevent demyelination (Chemical Land21). Research shows that there is negative relationship between nervonic acid and obesity-related risk factors. Demyelination in adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is associated with an accumulation of very long chain saturated fatty acids stemming from a genetic defect in the peroxisomal beta oxidation system responsible for the chain shortening of these fatty acids. Sphingolipids from post mortem ALD brain have decreased levels of nervonic acid, 24:1(n-9), and increased levels of stearic acid, 18:0. Nervonic acid (C24:1), a component of membrane sphingolipids and phosphatidylethanolamines, may be a useful predictor of chronic kidney disease mortality and diabetes. Nervonic acid oils are being studied for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and industrial applications. Nervonic acid is a major component of Lunaria oil. There is increasing evidence that dietary supplementation with nervonic acid is healthy for babies and infants during the early stage of brain development. Nervonic acid has been reported to reduce the shaking associated with Parkinson’s disease and the numbness caused by multiple sclerosis. It also has potential for treating schizophrenia and reducing early Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Carnosic acid [CA, (4aR,10aS)-5,6-dihydroxy-1,1-dimethyl-7- propan-2-yl-2,3,4,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthrene-4a-carboxylic acid] is a phenolic diterpene found in the leaves of the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis) and is used routinely as a food and cosmetic additive due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Carnosic acid as a food additive has a good safety profile and does not pose a health concern. Carnosic acid has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anticancer, photoprotective, and antiadipogenic activities in vitro. Carnosic acid was shown to induce significant weight loss and reduced visceral adiposity in ob/ob mice fed a diet supplemented with carnosic acid. Carnosic acid is used as a preservative or antioxidant in food and nonfood products (e.g. toothpaste, mouthwash and chewing gum) -in which it has an antimicrobial effect on the microbes responsible for bad breath- or in skin care products.

Syringic acid (SYRA) is a potential antioxidant used in traditional Chinese medicine and is an emerging nutraceutical. Current reports claim its potential anti-angiogenic, anti-glycating, anti-hyperglycaemic, neuroprotective, and memory-enhancing properties in various animal models. Syringic acid (SA) possesses anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory and anti-steatotic effects via the regulation of lipid metabolic and inflammatory genes. SA is likely to be a new natural therapeutic agent for obesity or non-alcoholic liver disease. Syringic acid reduces oxidative stress and axonal degeneration in rat sciatic nerve after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Syringic acid may play a role in the treatment of peripheral nerve injuries due to ischemia/reperfusion.

Brassidic acid (22 carbon atoms) was first prepared from erucic acid by Reimer W. in 1886. It is a monounsaturated (one trans (E) double bond; shorthand nomenclature cannot be used to name trans fatty acids) fatty acid member of the sub-group called very long chain fatty acids (VLCFA), from 20 carbon atoms onwards, and is the trans-isomer of erucic acid. At a concentration of 0.1 mM, brassidic acid produced small increases in palmitoyl-CoA oxidation and carnitine acetyltransferase activities in hepatocytes cultured 70 hr.