In a world where food supplies are intermittent, the ability to store energy in excess of what is required for immediate use is essential for survival. Fat cells, residing within widely distributed adipose tissue deposits, are adapted to store excess energy efficiently as triglyceride and when needed to release stored energy as free fatty acids for use at various sites. This physiological system permits humans to survive starvation for several months.

However, in the presence of nutritional abundance and sedentary lifestyle, this system increases adipose energy store and produces adverse health consequences.

Obesity is a state of excess adipose tissue mass. The prevalence of obesity is increasing and occurrence of extreme obesity (BMI = / > 40) is about 5 % of the population in a very developed country like the USA.

Adipose tissue is composed of the lipid storing adipose cell and storage compartment in which pre adipocytes reside. Adipose tissue is a depot of fat and is also an endocrine cell that releases numerous molecules (Cytokines) in a regulated fashion. Pathological consequences of obesity are Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Pulmonary Diseases, Cardiovascular Diseases, Reproductive Disorders and Cancer.

Indus is working on new candidates that target PPAR delta and Endo cannabinoid receptors of periphery for managing obesity.