Study: Cannabidiol Shows Protective Effects Against Acute Liver Injury by Preserving Mitochondrial Function

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

December 26, 2025

A study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology examined cannabidiol (CBD)'s hepatoprotective effects in a mouse model of acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide and D-galactosamine. Chinese researchers administered CBD at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg doses.

Treatment markedly lowered serum markers of liver damage, including alanine and aspartate aminotransferase. Histopathology showed reduced tissue injury, while assays revealed decreased inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers, and apoptotic cells.

Mechanistically, CBD upregulated mitofusin-2 in liver tissue by blocking its Parkin-mediated degradation, thus maintaining mitochondrial integrity. In vitro tests on stimulated immune cells confirmed dose-dependent mitochondrial preservation, reduced inflammation, and limited cell death.

Knocking down mitofusin-2 abolished CBD's benefits, while overexpression restored them, establishing its central role.

These results highlight CBD's ability to target mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation pathways in acute liver injury. The findings offer molecular insights supporting CBD as a candidate therapy for liver conditions, potentially informing future drug designs. Further studies are needed to explore translational potential.