A recent study suggests that two non-psychoactive compounds from the cannabis plant could reduce liver fat and cholesterol, opening a potential therapeutic avenue against fatty liver disease, the most common disease worldwide. The relevance is immediate: with about one in three adults affected and few approved pharmacological options, any advance that improves liver function deserves scientific and clinical attention.
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem published the results in the British Journal of Pharmacology, where they describe how Cannabidiol (CBD) and the Cannabigerol (CBG) They modify key metabolic processes in the liver without causing psychoactive effects.
What scientists found
The team observed that both compounds act on two complementary fronts: they increase an alternative energy reserve in the liver and restore the cells’ ability to degrade lipid waste.
In more detail, the treatments raised levels of phosphocreatinea molecule that functions as a backup battery in tissues subjected to metabolic stress, and reactivated enzymes called catepsinaswhich participate in cell cleaning within lysosomes.
- Reduction of harmful lipids: significant decrease in triglycerides and ceramides, lipids associated with inflammation and insulin resistance.
- Better glucose management: Both compounds helped normalize blood glucose levels and the elimination of glucose by the body.
- Differences between CBD and CBG: CBG showed a greater effect on reducing fat mass and insulin sensitivity, in addition to a more marked drop in total and LDL cholesterol.
Why does it matter now?
The disease currently called MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) is associated with obesity, hypertension and insulin resistance. With their prevalence increasing, strategies based on plant compounds that improve hepatic “metabolic remodeling” could offer complementary alternatives to changes in diet and physical activity, especially when these are difficult to sustain.
The leader of the study, Professor Joseph Tam, explained that recovering lysosomal activity and increasing the liver’s energy reserve facilitates the elimination of fats and cellular waste, which translates into more resistant liver function against high-fat diets.
Limitations and next steps
Although the results are promising, they come from preclinical experiments and controlled models; Therefore, clinical trials in humans are needed to confirm efficacy, safe doses and possible interactions with other treatments. The authors emphasize the need for studies that determine how to apply these findings in patients with different degrees of liver disease.
In summary, the study provides a plausible mechanism—the metabolic remodeling through phosphocreatine and lysosomal activation—whereby CBD and CBG could protect the liver against fat accumulation and metabolic deterioration. It is an advance that requires clinical follow-up but positions these compounds as interesting candidates in research against MASLD.
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Alonso Delgado covers the international news with rigor. You’ll find accurate and relevant reporting on major global events, from political crises to diplomatic breakthroughs.
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