A study published in the South African Journal of Botany found that in an animal model of type 2 diabetes, cannabinoids significantly reduced blood sugar and cholesterol levels while protecting the liver and kidneys.
Researchers from Northeast Forestry University and Harbin University of Science and Technology extracted and purified 12 cannabinoid compounds from hemp using ultrasound-assisted extraction. These cannabinoids were then administered to mice with diet- and glucose-induced type 2 diabetes.
At a dose of 37.87 mg/kg, hemp cannabinoids lowered fasting blood glucose by more than 60% and improved glucose tolerance by nearly 22%. Treated mice also showed healthier lipid profiles, with lower total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, and higher HDL cholesterol. The cannabinoids further increased antioxidant activity, boosting levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while reducing oxidative stress and tissue damage.
Microscopic analysis showed that cannabinoids helped restore normal structure and function in the liver, pancreas, and kidneys, organs commonly damaged by diabetes.
The study’s authors concluded that hemp-derived cannabinoids may represent a safe, plant-based option for managing type 2 diabetes and its related complications.
The findings add to growing evidence that non-psychoactive compounds in cannabis and hemp can have meaningful metabolic and organ-protective benefits, supporting future research into their use as natural functional food ingredients.
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