Beneficial effects of an investigational wristband containing Synsepalum dulcificum (miracle fruit) seed oil on the performance of hand and finger motor skills in healthy subjects: A randomized controlled preliminary study

Abstract

Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) seed oil (MFSO) contains phytochemicals and nutrients reported to affect musculoskeletal performance. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of a compression wristband containing MFSO on its ability to measurably improve the hand and finger motor skills of participants. Healthy right‐handed participants (n = 38) were randomized in this double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of MFSO and vehicle wristbands. Subjects wore the wristband on their left hand 4–6 weeks and then only on their right hand 2–4 weeks; the contralateral untreated hand served as an additional control. Twelve hand/finger motor skills were measured using quantitative bio‐instrumentation tests, and subject self‐assessment questionnaires were conducted. With each hand, in 9/12 tests, the MFSO group showed a clinically meaningful average improvement compared with an average worsening in the vehicle group. Statistical superiority to the control treatment group was exhibited in 9/12 tests for each hand (p < .01). After discontinuing the MFSO wristband on the left hand, test values regressed toward baseline levels. Subjects favored the MFSO wristband over the control, rating it as effective in improving their motor skills. Use of the MFSO wristband may improve an individual's manual dexterity skills and ability to maintain this performance.

Phenotypic variation, functional traits repeatability and core collection inference in Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell reveals the Dahomey Gap as a centre of diversity

“…Due to the increasing interest in S. dulcificum, this study purposively targeted the fruit and its components. For instance, while the edible ratio is of great interest in medicinal, pharmaceutical, food and beverages industries 19 , the seed mass is of interest in pharmaceutical and cosmetics 12,13,75 . Consequently, knowledge of the tree-to tree or population-to population variation for these specific traits would be useful for elite tree selection by the breeders and decision making for investment by stakeholders.…”

Miracle fruit seed as a potential supplement for the treatment of learning and memory disorders in Alzheimer’s disease

“…MFS oil has also been reported to treat breakage and damaged hair in women because of the phytochemicals and nutrients it contains ( Del Campo, et al, 2017 ). In addition, studies have found that wristbands containing MFS oil can affect musculoskeletal performance and improve motor skills in the hands and fingers of healthy adults ( Gorin, et al, 2018 ). MFS is mainly composed of the following components: ash, crude fiber, crude fat, reducing sugars, polyphenols, polysaccharides, fatty acids, amino acids, and mineral elements.…”

Genome‐wide diversity analysis suggests divergence among Upper Guinea and the Dahomey Gap populations of the Sisrè berry (Syn: miracle fruit) plant (Synsepalum dulcificum [Schumach. & Thonn.] Daniell) in West Africa

“…Coupled with the novel sweetening property of miraculin, the Sisrè berry's high micronutrient and antioxidant contents (Du et al., 2014) have led to its use in a wide range of culinary and pharmaceutical applications, the latter including both diabetes control and the enhancement of taste perception in patients with cancer (Buckmire & Francis, 1978; Wilken & Satiroff, 2012). The seed oil has been shown to improve hand motor skill and prevent hair breakage in women (Del Campo et al., 2017; Gorin et al., 2018), while various other parts of the plant (e.g., roots, leaves, and bark) are excellent sources of numerous health‐promoting phytochemicals, such as vanillic acid, epi‐syringaresinol, β‐sitosterol, and lupeol (Chen et al., 2010; Masson, 2014). On the international market, dried Sisrè berry fetches an astounding price of USD $2500 per kg of pure powder (https://www.miraclefruitfarm.com/, https://www.miraclefruitoil.com/).…”