Illustration of a healthy kidney surrounded by cannabis leaves

Kidney Health: Can Cannabis Compounds Offer a New Path to Recovery?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Exploring the potential of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in treating acute kidney injury and improving renal function through cannabis research."

Acute kidney injury (AKI) poses a significant threat to global health, associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), a condition where blood supply is restored to tissue after a period of oxygen deprivation, is a leading cause of AKI. Current treatments often fall short, highlighting the urgent need for innovative therapies that can protect and restore kidney function.

Recent research has turned to the endocannabinoid system (ECS) for potential solutions. The ECS, a complex network of receptors and signaling molecules, plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including inflammation and oxidative stress, both key factors in kidney injury. Cannabinoid compounds, known for their interaction with the ECS, have shown promise in mitigating these harmful processes.

This article explores the groundbreaking study led by Hamid Moradi et al., which investigates the role of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), a major endocannabinoid, in a mouse model of acute kidney injury. The study sheds light on how increasing 2-AG levels can improve renal function, offering new perspectives on treating kidney diseases and paving the way for future therapeutic interventions.

Unlocking the Potential of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) for Kidney Health

Illustration of a healthy kidney surrounded by cannabis leaves

The study by Moradi et al. focused on understanding how 2-AG, an endocannabinoid naturally produced in the body, affects renal IRI. To conduct their research, the scientists induced renal ischemia in mice, mimicking the conditions of AKI. They then administered JZL184, a compound known to increase 2-AG levels by inhibiting its breakdown. This allowed them to observe the effects of elevated 2-AG on kidney function and overall damage.

The researchers measured several key indicators to assess the extent of kidney damage and the effectiveness of the 2-AG enhancement. These included:

Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN): These are standard markers used to evaluate kidney function. Elevated levels typically indicate impaired kidney function.
Renal Tubular Damage: Histological analysis was performed to assess the structural damage to kidney tubules, which are essential for filtering waste and maintaining fluid balance.
Markers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: The expression of various inflammatory cytokines and enzymes involved in oxidative stress were measured to determine the level of inflammation and cellular damage in the kidneys.
Endocannabinoid Levels: The levels of 2-AG and other endocannabinoids in the kidney tissue were quantified to assess the impact of IRI and JZL184 treatment.

The results revealed that renal IRI led to a significant increase in kidney 2-AG content. Pretreatment with JZL184 further elevated 2-AG levels and was associated with improved serum BUN and creatinine levels, as well as reduced tubular damage. These findings suggest that increasing 2-AG levels can protect the kidneys during IRI. However, the expression of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers remained largely unchanged, indicating that the protective effects of 2-AG might be independent of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Future Directions and Therapeutic Implications

This study opens new avenues for exploring the therapeutic potential of targeting the endocannabinoid system in kidney diseases. While further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind 2-AG's protective effects, the findings suggest that modulating 2-AG levels could be a promising strategy for improving renal function and reducing kidney damage. Future studies should focus on identifying specific pathways through which 2-AG exerts its protective effects, as well as exploring the potential of other cannabinoid compounds in treating kidney diseases. This research highlights the importance of continued exploration into cannabis-related compounds and their potential to revolutionize treatment approaches for critical health conditions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1089/can.2016.0013, Alternate LINK

Title: Increased Renal 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Level Is Associated With Improved Renal Function In A Mouse Model Of Acute Kidney Injury

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc

Authors: Hamid Moradi, Fariba Oveisi, Elham Khanifar, Guillermo Moreno-Sanz, Nosratola D. Vaziri, Daniele Piomelli

Published: 2016-12-01

Everything You Need To Know

What is the significance of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) in the context of kidney health, as highlighted in the research?

The research emphasizes the potential of 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), a major endocannabinoid, in treating acute kidney injury (AKI) and improving renal function. The study, led by Hamid Moradi et al., shows that increasing 2-AG levels can protect the kidneys during ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), a leading cause of AKI. This is significant because current treatments for AKI are often inadequate, and 2-AG offers a potential new therapeutic strategy by modulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS).

How did the researchers in the study by Moradi et al. investigate the role of 2-AG in kidney injury, and what were their key findings?

The researchers induced renal ischemia in mice to mimic acute kidney injury (AKI). They then administered JZL184, a compound that increases 2-AG levels by inhibiting its breakdown. They measured several key indicators to assess kidney damage and the effectiveness of 2-AG enhancement, including Serum Creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), renal tubular damage, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, and endocannabinoid levels. The key findings revealed that increasing 2-AG levels through JZL184 pretreatment improved serum BUN and creatinine levels and reduced tubular damage, suggesting 2-AG's protective effects.

What specific markers were used to evaluate kidney function and damage in the study, and what do these markers indicate?

The researchers used several key markers to assess the extent of kidney damage and the effectiveness of 2-AG enhancement. These included Serum Creatinine and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), which are standard markers for evaluating kidney function. Elevated levels of these markers typically indicate impaired kidney function. They also assessed renal tubular damage through histological analysis to assess structural damage to kidney tubules, essential for filtering waste. Additionally, markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured to determine the level of inflammation and cellular damage in the kidneys.

How does the endocannabinoid system (ECS) relate to kidney health and the potential use of cannabis-related compounds like 2-AG for treatment?

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a complex network of receptors and signaling molecules that plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes, including inflammation and oxidative stress, which are key factors in kidney injury. Cannabinoid compounds like 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) interact with the ECS, and research suggests that modulating the ECS by increasing 2-AG levels can improve renal function and reduce kidney damage. This offers a new therapeutic approach, given that current treatments for conditions such as acute kidney injury (AKI) are often insufficient.

What are the future directions and therapeutic implications of targeting the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in kidney diseases, based on the study's findings?

The study opens new avenues for exploring the therapeutic potential of modulating 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels in kidney diseases. The findings suggest that this approach could improve renal function and reduce kidney damage. Future studies should focus on identifying the specific pathways through which 2-AG exerts its protective effects and exploring other cannabinoid compounds. The implications are significant, as they highlight the potential of cannabis-related compounds to revolutionize treatment approaches for critical health conditions like acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease.