Cannabis Compounds May Reverse Fatty Liver Disease in Mice.

A mouse study found that cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) improved liver fat, blood lipids and glucose control and increased phosphocreatine production; whether these effects apply to humans is undetermined.

New research reports that two cannabis-derived compounds, cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG), improved markers of fatty liver disease in mice. The study observed better blood sugar control, reduced liver fat and lower blood lipid levels after treatment. Researchers linked those effects to increased production of phosphocreatine in the liver and noted they occurred largely independent of classical cannabinoid receptors. The work was published in the British Journal of Pharmacology. Key findings: - CBD and CBG improved blood sugar control, reduced liver fat, and lowered blood lipid levels in obese mice. - The compounds appeared to act mostly independent of classical cannabinoid receptors and were associated with increased hepatic phosphocreatine production. - CBG produced stronger effects than CBD on body fat, low-density (“bad”) cholesterol and insulin sensitivity in the mouse model. - Authors emphasize these results are from mice; human efficacy, safety and appropriate delivery methods are undetermined. Summary: The study identifies a possible metabolic mechanism by which CBD and CBG can reprogram liver energy buffering and support lipid clearance in a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Undetermined at this time.