CBD and CBG Reversed Markers of Fatty Liver Disease in New Study
Hebrew University researchers found both compounds restored cellular energy systems and waste processing in diseased liver tissue
By CBDWorldNews Editorial Staff | April 21, 2026
Cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) improved key markers of fatty liver disease by rebuilding cellular energy reserves and restarting waste-clearing processes, according to a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology on March 5.
The Research
A team led by Prof. Joseph (Yossi) Tam at the School of Pharmacy, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, studied how the two non-intoxicating cannabinoids affect metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Dr. Liad Hinden and PhD student Radka Kočvarová co-authored the work.
The disease affects roughly one-third of adults worldwide and is tied to obesity, hypertension, and insulin resistance. No widely available pharmaceutical treatment exists for the condition, making new therapeutic leads particularly valuable.
How It Works
The researchers identified two mechanisms driving the improvements.
First, both CBD and CBG increased phosphocreatine levels in liver cells. Phosphocreatine acts as an emergency energy reserve, allowing cells to maintain function under metabolic stress. Diseased liver cells typically run low on this buffer, leaving them vulnerable to further damage.
Second, the compounds reactivated cathepsins within lysosomes—the cellular structures responsible for breaking down and recycling waste material. In fatty liver disease, lysosomes become sluggish, allowing harmful lipids to accumulate. Both cannabinoids restored this cleanup process.
“The compounds work through metabolic remodeling—rebuilding the cell’s ability to manage energy and clear waste rather than simply masking symptoms.” — Research summary from Hebrew University
The result: reduced levels of triglycerides, ceramides, and other harmful lipids that drive liver disease progression.
CBG Pulled Ahead in Several Areas
While both compounds showed benefits, CBG demonstrated stronger effects in specific categories. It was more effective at reducing body fat mass, improving insulin sensitivity, and lowering total and LDL cholesterol levels. Both compounds improved blood sugar control to a similar degree.
This finding is notable for the CBD industry because CBG products remain a smaller market segment. If the results translate to human trials, CBG could move from niche ingredient to mainstream therapeutic candidate.
Brands already selling CBG-containing products may see increased consumer interest, though human clinical data is still needed before any health claims can be made.
What This Doesn’t Mean
The study used preclinical models, not human subjects. The researchers themselves emphasized that additional human studies are needed before CBD or CBG could become therapeutic treatments for fatty liver disease.
This is a common pattern in cannabinoid research: promising preclinical results that take years to validate in human trials, and often produce more modest effects in clinical settings. The research pipeline for CBD continues to grow, but the gap between laboratory findings and approved treatments remains wide.
That said, the specific mechanisms identified—phosphocreatine buffering and lysosomal restoration—give future researchers clear targets to investigate in human tissue and clinical trials.
The Bigger Picture
Over 70 cannabis-related studies have been published in 2026, covering pain, cancer, brain injury, sleep, metabolism, and inflammation. This liver disease research adds metabolic health to the growing list of conditions where non-intoxicating cannabinoids show preclinical promise.
For the pet CBD sector, liver safety has been a recurring concern in veterinary research. Studies showing that CBD supports rather than harms liver function at appropriate doses could address one of the persistent questions from veterinarians and pet parents alike.
The Hebrew University team’s work represents the kind of mechanistic research that regulators want to see—not just evidence that something works, but a clear explanation of how and why.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. CBD products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
