Research Projects

Rationale: Obesity affects over 890 million adults globally and is the fourth leading cause of death. In India, NFHS-5 data show high abdominal obesity, especially among women (40%). Existing treatments like orlistat, semaglutide, or bariatric surgery are limited by side effects or invasiveness. These fail to target dietary fat absorption in the GI tract, a key driver of obesity highlighting the need for safer, gut-targeted strategies with long-term efficacy. The proposed research aims to address this critical gap by developing a novel, non-invasive therapeutic platform that targets dietary fat absorption at the GI interface using engineered, pH-responsive microbeads functionalized with polyphenol nanostructures. This innovative approach leverages the synergistic fat-binding and lipase-inhibiting properties of polyphenols to sequester emulsified fats and prevent their enzymatic hydrolysis and absorption, offering a safe, effective, and scalable solution for obesity management. Scientific Objectives: Objective 1: Synthesize fat-sequestering polyphenol nanocage alginate microbeads (FatSeq-PMP) and their physicochemical characterization. Objective 2: Validate the composition, release, and functional properties of FatSeq-PMP microbeads through in-vitro studies. Objective 3: Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of FatSeq-PMP microbeads in an in-vivo rodent model of obesity, assessing their impact on weight gain, adiposity, lipid metabolism, and fecal fat excretion. Hypothesis/Model to be Tested: The main hypothesis of this research is that pH-responsive microbeads functionalized with polyphenol nanocage can effectively reduce dietary fats absorption and adiposity by acting through the following mechanisms: 1. Fat Sequestration: EGCG and tocopherol disrupt bile micelles, promoting entrapment of fat droplets in the microbead matrix. 2. Lipase Inhibition: Resveratrol blocks pancreatic lipase, preventing triglyceride breakdown. 3. pH-Responsive Release: Alginate–chitosan carriers enable targeted intestinal delivery, protecting polyphenols from gastric degradation. Main Experiments to be Carried Out: 1. Synthesis and Characterization: Develop FatSeq-PMP microbeads using a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) double emulsion method. While, characterize will be done using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). 2. In-Vitro Validation: Assess composition stability in simulated GI fluids and quantify polyphenol release using HPLC. Further evaluate of fat sequestration performance using techniques such as UV-Visible spectrophotometry, fluorescence microscopy, and weight difference analysis. Study pH-responsive expansion behavior and cytocompatibility using cell culture models. 3. In-Vivo Evaluation: In vivo studies will use obesity-induced Sprague–Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet with FatSeq-PMP microbeads. Efficacy will be assessed through body weight, fat mass, fecal lipid output, serum markers (lipids, glucose), and histological analysis of liver and adipose tissues. Significance to the Field of Research: If successful, this research could offer a breakthrough in obesity management by targeting dietary fat absorption in the GI tract, a key mechanism yet underexplored. The significance lies in its potential to: • It will advance understanding of polyphenol–lipid interactions and pH-responsive biomaterials, while developing novel therapeutic FatSeq-PMP microbeads as a safe, non-invasive and eco-friendly alternative to conventional treatments for obesity management, offering superior efficacy and safety over surgical interventions. • Their biodegradable, food-grade nature ensures scalability, while the use of indigenous bio-actives strengthens India’s position in global translational obesity research by bridging the translational gap.