Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem say two non-psychoactive compounds derived from cannabis may help treat fatty liver disease, a condition affecting roughly one in three adults worldwide.
The disease, formally known as Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), is the most common liver disorder globally. Despite its prevalence, treatment options remain limited. “However, this disease does not have a current drug available whatsoever,” said Yossi Tam, a professor at the university’s School of Pharmacy, who led the research.
According to ‘The Times of Israel‘ The peer-reviewed study, published in The British Journal of Pharmacology, found that two cannabis-derived compounds, Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG), improved liver health in mice by altering how the organ manages energy and clears waste. Both compounds are non-psychoactive and do not produce the “high” associated with cannabis.
Tam, who also directs the university’s Multidisciplinary Center for Cannabinoid Research, said the study uncovered a previously unknown biological mechanism that affects how the liver processes energy and maintains cellular balance.
The research was led by PhD student Radka Kočvarová and Dr. Liad Hinden from Tam’s laboratory, with additional contributions from scientists at the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology. “Given that one third or more of adults in Western societies are at risk for this disorder accompanying the obesity epidemic, [the study] portends enormous public health significance,” said Ethan Russo, founder and chief executive of CReDO Science, who was not involved in the research.
MASLD is closely linked to rising global obesity rates. In Israel, nearly 60% of adults are overweight or obese and about one in five children lives with obesity, according to a 2024 report by the Knesset Health Committee.
“This is a growing problem in Israel,” Tam said. The condition occurs when excess fat accumulates in the liver, triggering inflammation that can lead to permanent scarring, liver failure and other complications. Symptoms may include fatigue, general discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen beneath the ribs.
While the disease can often be managed through lifestyle changes such as improved diet and exercise, effective treatment depends on early detection. Tam’s research focuses on metabolic disorders and the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate appetite, pain and immune responses.
The system was first identified by Raphael Mechoulam, widely regarded as a pioneer in cannabis research and a founder of the university’s cannabinoid research center. His discovery that the body produces chemicals similar to Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) opened the door to decades of scientific research into cannabis and human physiology.
“Scientific literature already shows that CBD has some metabolic benefit by inhibiting your food consumption and reducing weight in clinical trials in humans,” Tam said. “We were really intrigued by this. What is the exact mechanism?”
To investigate, Tam’s team used a laboratory model for diet-induced obesity. Mice were fed a high-fat diet for 14 weeks to induce obesity and related metabolic conditions.
“You basically put the mice on high-fat diet for 14 weeks,” Tam said. “They become obese, they develop fatty liver disease, diabetes, all the features of the metabolic syndrome. And then we treat the animals for 28 days with the drug, and monitor their metabolism.” The researchers found that CBD and CBG did more than reduce fat levels in the liver.
“The two compounds actually help the liver function better internally through a unique process of ‘metabolic remodeling,’” Tam said. One key finding involved the liver’s energy storage system. Under a high-fat diet, the organ’s normal energy reserves become depleted, leading to cellular damage.
Both compounds increased levels of phosphocreatine, an energy molecule that Tam described as acting like a backup battery for liver cells. The study also found that the treatment restored the activity of enzymes called cathepsins, which function as a cellular “cleaning crew,” allowing the liver to remove harmful fats and waste products.
In addition, the cannabinoid treatment significantly reduced harmful lipids such as triglycerides and ceramides. Ceramides are considered particularly dangerous because they contribute to insulin resistance and liver inflammation.
Tam said he was surprised that CBG also reduced body fat mass and lowered total cholesterol levels. “The study elucidates the benefits” of CBD and CBG to counteract MASLD, said Russo, adding that the approach could provide “an apparently safe and effective treatment option” derived from cannabis compounds.
Tam said the research team hopes to move toward human clinical trials. “My hope is to bring a cannabinoid-based drug to help the human population suffering from fatty liver disease and metabolic disorder,” he said.
Source :The Times of Israel
