CBD Improved Antioxidant Status in Rats Over 90 Days, While CBG Caused Liver Damage and Oxidative Stress

CBD (0.66 mg/kg/day for 90 days) produced no changes in blood counts or biochemistry and improved redox status in blood plasma and liver, reducing malondialdehyde and carbonylated proteins. CBG (0.66-1.33 mg/kg/day) increased total oxidative stress, malondialdehyde, and carbonylated proteins, and caused hepatotoxic changes, disrupted white cell counts, and altered ALT, creatinine, and calcium. Both accumulated in tissues at low ng/g levels.

90-day orogastric administration in rats. CBD at 0.66 mg/kg/day, CBG at 0.66/1.33 mg/kg/day. Assessed blood counts, biochemistry, GI and liver histology, oxidative stress markers, and tissue distribution by LC-MS.

CBG is increasingly marketed alongside CBD as a beneficial cannabinoid, but this study shows dramatically different safety profiles. While CBD improved antioxidant status, CBG caused oxidative damage and liver toxicity at comparable doses. This is a critical safety distinction as CBG products proliferate.

The authors attribute the toxicity difference to CBG's extra dimethyloctadienyl structural pattern, which is absent in CBD. This structural difference may explain the redox disruption. As minor cannabinoids like CBG gain popularity, this study is an important safety signal.

Animal study at specific doses that may not reflect human supplementation levels. 90-day duration may not capture longer-term effects. Only two dose levels of CBG tested. Rat metabolism of cannabinoids differs from humans.