Cannabis Compounds May Combat Fatty Liver Disease in Mice

Recent research suggests that two compounds found in the cannabis plant could potentially reverse fatty liver disease in mice without inducing intoxication. This study was conducted by scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel.

The researchers discovered that both CBD (cannabidiol) and CBG (cannabigerol) can enhance blood sugar regulation, reduce liver fat, and lower lipid levels in obese mice.

Interestingly, these effects were achieved largely independent of traditional cannabinoid receptors, which are known to play a significant role in gut-liver communication.

Instead, administering daily injections of either CBD or CBG into the mice’s abdomens increased the production of phosphocreatine, a kind of creatine released by the liver that supports energy replenishment and cellular health.

After four weeks on a high-fat diet, both compounds helped restore some liver functions in the mice.

Among the two, CBG was particularly effective, significantly reducing body fat, lowering “bad” cholesterol, and improving insulin sensitivity more than CBD.

“Our findings unveil a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG boost liver energy and lysosomal function,” explains Joseph Tam, a pharmacist and the study’s senior author.

This metabolic remodeling could play a key role in enhancing how the liver manages fats, making these compounds promising candidates for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

MASLD occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver, distinct from alcohol-related liver disease. It has emerged as the most common chronic liver condition worldwide, affecting about a third of adults globally.

Moreover, MASLD isn’t just a liver issue; it’s recognized as a systemic metabolic disorder. Recent studies on animals suggest that bioactive compounds derived from cannabis could offer viable treatment options.

CBD is one of the most well-known compounds from cannabis, and while studies on its effects are still somewhat limited and mixed, some research points to beneficial metabolic impacts.

On the other hand, CBG has only recently gained attention as a potentially even more effective cannabis compound for health improvement. Sometimes termed the “mother of all cannabinoids,” it metabolizes rapidly into CBD and THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis.

Neither CBD nor CBG seems to activate the central nervous system in their pure forms, meaning they don’t produce a ‘high’ like THC does. This characteristic further enhances their potential medicinal value.

“This study is the first to demonstrate that phytocannabinoids can reprogram liver energy buffering,” the authors claim.

Previous studies involving rodents indicated that creatine supplements could somewhat alleviate MASLD, although they exacerbated fatty liver issues linked to alcohol consumption.

The current mouse study supports these previous findings, indicating that certain cannabis compounds can protect the liver by shifting energy production toward phosphocreatine synthesis and restoring mechanisms that clear fats from the liver.

However, it’s still uncertain whether these findings will translate to humans. Currently, CBD products available in the market are not rigorously regulated, and their purity can vary.

Moreover, most products are consumed orally, raising questions about whether the effects would be similar to injections.

Further research might clarify how CBD and CBG affect liver function, potentially paving the way for new drug development that mimics these effects in a safe, easily administered manner.

“Despite the growing clinical burden of MASLD, no pharmacological treatments have been approved so far,” the study authors note. “This highlights the urgent need for innovative agents targeting the disease’s underlying mechanisms.”

The findings were published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.