The discovery offers hope for the development of new plant-based medications.
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have shown that non-psychoactive compounds of cannabis effectively reduce liver fat levels and restore metabolism.
Scientists have established that the most common chronic liver disease in the world – metabolically associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) – can be treated with cannabidiol and cannabigerol. These substances do not produce a narcotic effect but trigger a profound "metabolic restructuring" of the organ.
Experiments have proven that these compounds help the liver create a backup energy reserve that acts as an auxiliary battery under stress caused by poor nutrition.
Of particular importance is the ability of cannabinoids to restore the function of specialized enzymes – cellular "clean-up crews." This allows cells to efficiently process and eliminate waste and excess fats that provoke inflammation. The study showed that both compounds normalize blood sugar levels. Additionally, cannabigerol actively reduces overall body fat mass, improves insulin sensitivity, and successfully combats "bad" cholesterol. The work is published in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
The discovery offers hope for the development of new plant-based medications to combat obesity and related liver diseases when diets and exercise are insufficient. The action of compounds extracted from cannabis positively affects cellular energy and opens up a promising direction in medicine.
Assessing the significance of the work, co-author Professor Yossi Tam noted: "Our results reveal a new mechanism by which these compounds improve the energy and lysosomal function of the liver. This highlights the compounds as promising therapeutic agents for the treatment of MASLD."
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