A new study published in Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy finds that cannabigerol (CBG), a non-psychoactive compound found in marijuana, may help counter the harmful effects of a high-fat, high-sugar diet on colon health and metabolic function.
Researchers from the Medical University of Bialystok in Poland and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas tested the compound in rats fed a diet designed to mimic metabolic disturbances common in obesity and type 2 diabetes. CBG was administered during the final two weeks of a six-week feeding period.
The study found that CBG significantly reduced ceramide levels in the colon and improved the balance of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) to ceramide, a ratio tied to inflammation control. The compound also altered the activity of several key enzymes that regulate sphingolipid metabolism, shifting the balance toward protective pathways.
Beyond lipid regulation, CBG restored proper insulin signaling in colon tissue. Rats receiving CBG showed higher phosphorylation of critical insulin pathway proteins, including IRS1, Akt, GSK3β, and mTOR. Molecular docking simulations suggested that CBG may directly interact with proteins like PTEN and S6 ribosomal protein, potentially enhancing insulin sensitivity.
In addition, CBG reduced markers of inflammation, such as CD68 and F4/80, and lowered inflammatory cell infiltration in colon tissue. The researchers note that these combined effects suggest CBG could mitigate diet-induced colitis and improve metabolic outcomes.
The findings build on prior work by the same team showing that CBG reduced systemic inflammation and improved insulin resistance in similar animal models. While the study was limited to male rats, the results highlight CBG’s potential as a multi-target compound that not only regulates lipid mediators but also directly supports insulin signaling and colon barrier function.
Researchers conclude by saying “These findings suggest that CBG alleviates HFHS-induced colitis possibility by modulating sphingolipid metabolism and restoring insulin signaling, supporting its potential as a therapeutic agent in colon function disturbances associated with metabolic disorders.”
