New research suggests that two non-psychoactive cannabis compounds could help treat fatty liver disease, the most common form of chronic liver disorder.
Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have found that Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG), can significantly reduce liver fat and improve metabolic health by changing how the organ manages energy and cleans itself.
Metabolically dysregulated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most common chronic liver disorder in the world. It affects approximately one-third of the adult population and is closely linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.
Existing guidance suggests that lifestyle changes like diet and exercise are important, but there are very few approved medicines available for this condition, making research into new treatments a high priority for scientists.
In the study, the researchers used advanced tools to show that CBD and CBG not only reduce fat, but actually help the liver function better internally through a unique process of “metabolic remodelling”.
This works by creating a backup energy reserve in the liver and restoring the activity of cellular “cleaning crews” to break down harmful waste.
These compounds increase levels of phosphocreatine, which acts like a backup battery to help the liver stay healthy under the stress caused by a high-fat diet. The study also showed that CBD and CBG restore the activity of cathepsins — enzymes that act like a cleaning crew within the cell’s recycling centers, known as lysosomes.
The researchers found that both treatments significantly reduced harmful lipids, such as triglycerides and ceramides, which are known to contribute to insulin resistance and liver inflammation.
Both CBD and CBG were able to normalise blood sugar levels and improve how the body clears glucose.
However, CBG appeared to have a more pronounced effect on certain metrics. It significantly reduced body fat mass and improved insulin sensitivity more robustly than CBD. CBG was also particularly effective at lowering total cholesterol and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.
“Our findings identify a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic energy and lysosomal function,” says Professor Joseph (Yossi) Tam from the School of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
“This dual metabolic remodelling contributes to improved liver lipid handling and highlights these compounds as promising therapeutic agents for MASLD.”
This study sheds light on a potential new approach, using plant-based compounds to treat metabolic diseases by focusing on how cells manage energy and waste.
While the results are encouraging, the team notes that more research is needed to understand how these findings can best be applied to human patients.
The post Cannabis Compounds CBD and CBG Show Promise in Fighting Fatty Liver Disease appeared first on Cannabis Health News.
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Author: News Editor
