CBD and CBG: New Hope for Fatty Liver Disease
Israeli scientists have discovered that the non-intoxicating cannabis compounds CBD and CBG improve liver health through two cellular mechanisms: boosting energy reserves and restoring cellular cleaning. The research, published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, paves the way for the first drug for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A Silent Epidemic Affecting a Quarter of Humanity
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease — referred to by experts as MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) — is among the most prevalent chronic diseases today. It affects an estimated one-third of the adult population worldwide and is closely linked to obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance. Despite this scale, there is currently no approved medication. New Israeli research offers a promising answer from an unexpected source — the cannabis plant.
Discovery of Two Key Mechanisms
A team led by Prof. Joseph Tam and doctoral student Radka Kočvarová from the Laboratory of Obesity and Metabolism at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem tested the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) on mice fed a high-fat diet. The results of the study, published on March 5, 2026, in the prestigious British Journal of Pharmacology, revealed two distinct cellular mechanisms.
Phosphocreatine Energy Reserve
Both CBD and CBG increase the level of phosphocreatine in liver cells — a molecule that functions as a backup battery, supplying cells with energy during metabolic stress. The increased activity of the enzyme creatine kinase acts independently of changes in fatty acid oxidation, representing a previously unknown mechanism of liver protection.
Restoration of Lysosomal Cleaning
The second mechanism involves the restoration of lysosomes — cellular recycling centers. Both compounds reactivate cathepsin enzymes, restoring the cells' ability to break down harmful fats and waste products. This results in a reduction in triglyceride and ceramide levels — lipids that contribute to insulin resistance and liver inflammation.
CBG with a More Pronounced Metabolic Effect
Although both substances demonstrated therapeutic potential, cannabigerol (CBG) showed a more significant effect on some indicators. Compared to CBD, it was able to more significantly reduce body fat mass, improve insulin sensitivity, and lower total and LDL cholesterol levels in serum. Both compounds act without psychoactive effects, as they do not affect the endocannabinoid system in the usual way — they act through a different, newly identified pathway.
"Dual metabolic remodeling contributes to improved liver lipid management," said Prof. Tam, who described both compounds as "promising therapeutic agents for MASLD."
Patent and Path to Clinical Trials
The research team has patented the combined therapy of CBD and CBG for metabolic disorders. This is an important step towards clinical trials in humans, which are a prerequisite for any potential drug approval. The scientists emphasize that the current results come from laboratory experiments on animals and that the research has a long way to go before clinical use.
What Does This Mean for Patients in Slovakia?
Fatty liver disease is as prevalent in Slovakia as in the rest of the world — the growing prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome makes it an increasingly urgent public health problem. However, until CBD and CBG enter clinical practice, experts recommend proven preventive measures: a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and limiting sugar intake. Self-treatment with available CBD products without medical supervision is not recommended — commercial products differ significantly from the strictly controlled substances used in research.
The new discovery by Israeli scientists is, in any case, a significant step — the first promising candidate for pharmacological treatment of a disease that previously had no approved medication.
