“Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, with an estimated prevalence of 10%–15%.1 In addition to its reproductive features, that is, hyperandrogenism, anovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology, PCOS is strongly associated with metabolic disturbances, including obesity, insulin resistance and an elevated risk of metabolic associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).1 These complications not only worsen the quality of life but also increase long-term morbidity and mortality of women living with PCOS. The coexistence of these metabolic traits complicates clinical management and increases the risk of developing type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Lifestyle modifications are considered first-line interventions in PCOS, but they frequently fail to achieve sustained weight loss or ideal metabolic control, particularly in patients with pronounced hormonal perturbations (e.g., persistent hyperandrogenism) or psychological distress. Pharmacological approaches, such as metformin and GLP-1 receptor agonists, are currently used to handle metabolic complications, but they have limitations regarding efficacy, tolerability and/or accessibility, and are not universally approved for management of PCOS. Moreover, these treatments might overlook the inflammatory and fibrotic dimensions of PCOS, which are increasingly recognized as central contributors to its pathogenesis.
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychotropic phytocannabinoid from Cannabis sativa,5 has garnered attention due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and metabolic regulatory properties. Preclinical studies suggest that CBD acts as a negative allosteric modulator of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R),6 and engages additional targets, such as PPARγ7 and the Nrf2 signalling pathway.8 Given these pleiotropic actions, CBD represents an attractive candidate for addressing the complex metabolic profile of PCOS. In this study, we evaluated the metabolic and hepatic effects, including proteomic profiles, of CBD in a validated murine model of PCOS associated with androgenic obesity (AO),9 aiming to provide insights into its therapeutic potential and underlying mechanisms of action.”
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40635171/
“This study provides compelling preclinical evidence that CBD exerts broad metabolic benefits in a murine model of PCOS with androgenic obesity. Treatment with CBD led to significant reductions in weight gain, adiposity, insulin resistance, indices of hepatic fibrosis and systemic inflammation, with prominent favourable actions on MASLD traits. Liver proteomic and circulating biomarker analyses strongly supported the reprogramming of disease-associated molecular pathways caused by CBD, underscoring its potential to mitigate the multifactorial pathophysiology of PCOS.”
https://dom-pubs.pericles-prod.literatumonline.com/doi/10.1111/dom.16602