JERUSALEM – Two non-psychoactive cannabis compounds, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), may offer a potential new treatment pathway for one of the world’s most prevalent chronic conditions, according to preclinical research published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
- A Hebrew University study found CBD and CBG reduced fat accumulation in mice’s livers in a preclinical model.
- Researchers said the cannabinoids improved energy handling and cellular cleanup functions in the liver.
- CBG showed stronger effects on body fat, LDL cholesterol, and insulin sensitivity.
The study, led by Prof. Joseph Tam and Dr. Liad Hinden at Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s School of Pharmacy, examined how CBD and CBG affect metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD — the clinical term for fatty liver disease. The condition affects roughly one-third of adults worldwide and is closely associated with obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Effective pharmaceutical treatments remain scarce.
How CBD and CBG affected liver metabolism
Using advanced analytical tools, the researchers found both cannabinoids reduce fat accumulation in the liver through what Tam described as “metabolic remodeling” — essentially changing how the organ manages energy and clears waste at the cellular level. Among the key findings: CBD and CBG elevate phosphocreatine levels, providing a backup energy reserve that helps the liver withstand the stress of a high-fat diet. The compounds also restore the activity of cathepsins, enzymes that drive cellular cleanup in lysosomes. Both effects contributed to significant reductions in harmful lipids, including triglycerides and ceramides, the latter of which is associated with insulin resistance and liver inflammation.
While both cannabinoids demonstrated metabolic benefits, they were not identical in effect. CBG produced stronger reductions in body fat and LDL cholesterol and showed greater improvement in insulin sensitivity.
The researchers caution that further study is needed before the findings can be translated to human treatment protocols. The paper, Cannabidiol and Cannabigerol Ameliorate Steatotic Liver Disease via Phosphocreatine Buffering and Lysosomal Restoration, is available at doi.org/10.1111/bph.70387.
