NIH-funded research R15 grant

Investigating the effects of cannabigerol and cannabidiol on fatty liver disease

Official title: The therapeutic effect of cannabigerol (CBG) with or without cannabidiol (CBD) in diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Funded at University of Northern Colorado · NIH-10794804 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how two natural compounds from cannabis, CBG and CBD, might help improve liver health for people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more serious form, NASH, by reducing inflammation and damage in the liver.

More Fatty Liver research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Northern Colorado
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Greeley, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$377,986
NIH project number1R15DK131507-01A1
Project IDNIH-10794804 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research would be individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Less likely to help

Patients with alcoholic liver disease or those not diagnosed with fatty liver disease may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on the potential therapeutic effects of two non-psychoactive cannabinoids, cannabigerol (CBG) and cannabidiol (CBD), in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its more severe form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The study aims to evaluate how these cannabinoids can reduce liver inflammation, fibrosis, and damage caused by diet-induced conditions. Using mouse models, the researchers will assess the impact of CBG and CBD on liver health, immune cell behavior, and specific cellular pathways involved in liver function. The findings could provide insights into new treatment options for patients suffering from these chronic liver diseases.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic options for patients with fatty liver disease, potentially improving liver health and reducing disease progression.

How similar studies have gone: While cannabinoids have shown promise in other inflammatory conditions, the specific application of CBG and CBD for NAFLD/NASH is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

  • University of Northern Colorado
    Greeley, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Han, Yuyan — University of Northern Colorado
  • Study coordinator: Han, Yuyan

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD

    A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11623263

  • Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease

    Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

    NIH research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · Los Angeles, United States · NIH-11519341

  • How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

    Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

    NIH research State University New York Stony Brook · Stony Brook, United States · NIH-11447065

  • Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults

    A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.

    NIH research University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · Edinburg, United States · NIH-11421441

  • Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease

    This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.

    NIH research Michigan State University · East Lansing, United States · NIH-11398883

  • Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease

    A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.

    NIH research Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · Cincinnati, United States · NIH-11388863

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.