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• Scientists and many people around the world are still looking for a treatment that both works well and is affordable for diabetes, a metabolic disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin (glucose) at abnormally high levels
• Various factors, such as genetics, age, insulin resistance, physical inactivity, family history of diabetes, and weight, are said to contribute to the tendency for individuals to have diabetes
• Consumption of sweets is also believed to be a contributing factor; studies suggest that consuming sugar or sweets does not automatically cause diabetes
• Diabetes is mostly influenced by unhealthy diets that are usually obtained from regular consumption of processed meats, artificial sweeteners from beverages, even refined rice, and other compounds in products that could possibly cause obesity in an individual, linking them to a higher risk of diabetes
• There are treatments used to prevent further complications for people with diabetes, such as administering artificial insulin rather than purely relying on the insulin that should be produced by the pancreas
• The production of artificial insulin involves the process of recombinant DNA technology, where scientists insert the human insulin gene into a plasmid, which can then be transferred into bacteria. These bacteria produce insulin, which is isolated from the bacterial culture and given to patients
• The process of producing artificial insulin is costly, prompting attention towards botanical plants for their potential therapeutic properties and offering alternative approaches to conventional medicine
• Aratilis (Muntingia calabura L.)

  A widely available fruit-bearing tree considered a functional food
• The Jamaican Cherry, locally known as Aratilis, belongs to the Muntingiaceae family and is native to tropical regions of the Caribbean, Central America, and South America
• Aratilis has become a naturalized species in various countries, including those in Southeast Asia, like the Philippines, due to trade and routes during ancient times
• Aratilis typically measure 2–5 centimeters in diameter and have a round appearance. Its skin changes from green when young to yellow and red when ripe, accompanied by softening and thinning of the skin
• Underneath the skin, aratilis contains sweet and musky juice and numerous small seeds scattered throughout the fruit
• In the Philippines, the benefits of aratilis are not commonly recognized, as it is often only found on the streets, played by children
• Aratilis is rich in vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, calcium, iron, fiber, and phosphorus
• Existing literature suggests that aratilis may possess bioactive compounds like tannins, anthocyanins, and flavonoids capable of controlling glucose levels and insulin sensitivity

  
• The prevalence of diabetes is one of the reasons that encourages further exploration of the nature of aratilis

  
• The prevalence of diabetes worldwide has been a concerning issue since the start of 21st century up to this generation
• The number of people with diabetes is rapidly rising from approximately 422 million patients in 2014 to 537 million as of 2021. Roughly around 1 out of 10 adults in the world have diabetes
• 800 million cases of diabetes are projected in 2045
• Diabetes can lead to numerous health complications including cardiovascular diseases, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, nervous system damage (neuropathy), renal system damage (nephropathy) and eye damage (retinopathy)
• Diabetes has entered the top 10 leading causes of death all around the world, responsible for the death of approximately 200,000 people yearly
• Types of diabetes

  • Type 1
  • Type 2
  • Gestational Diabetes
• In Type 1 diabetes, the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, which is believed to be influenced by environmental factors such as viral infections
• In Type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces less insulin than needed, and the body becomes resistant to insulin. This is common in physically inactive and overweight or obese individuals
• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus affects pregnant women, potentially complicating pregnancy and increasing the risk of Type 2 diabetes for both the mother and child later in life
• In the Philippines, an estimated 4.3 million Filipinos were diagnosed with diabetes, while 2.8 million remained undiagnosed in 2021
• Filipinos have a higher risk of being linked with diabetes because of our unhealthy diet, including the overconsumption of refined carbohydrates like white rice
• Filipinos who reduce eating white rice are socially viewed as rejecting Filipino culture, which might be a reason for Filipinos having difficulty changing their lifestyle or diet
• Nutritionists suggest that to have a healthy lifestyle we must fill our plates with 50% veggies, 25% rice, and 25% protein
• Diabetes mellitus has been one of the top ten causes of death in the Province of Bulacan, Philippines, which may be attributed to the changing lifestyles of Bulakenos in recent years

  
• Diabetes can be prevented or delayed through insulin injections or other medicines like metFORMIN, sulfonylureas, sodium-glucose co-transporters type 2 (SGLT-2)
• Diabetes is most prevalent among individuals with middle to low incomes, likely due to limited access to support healthy lifestyles and essential medications
• Managing diabetes needs varied methods, especially the intake or inject of pharmaceutical medicines. However most of these medicine are costly, considering that majority of people with diabetes have low-income
• An In Vitro screening and study conducted by Maria Isabel Layson in 2019 revealed that aratilis possesses anti-hyperglycemic properties, which can be very helpful in managing type 2 diabetes

  
• Successive research has supported the study about aratiles, which focuses on the abundance of phytochemicals known for their antioxidant properties. Three bioactive compounds present in this fruit and have the potential to treat diabetes are anthocyanin, flavonoids, and polyphenol

  
• Polyphenols

  A type of micronutrients that are commonly found in fruits and vegetables, including aratiles. They include tannins and flavonoids, which are a subclass of polyphenols known for their antioxidant properties and diverse health benefits
• α-Amylase

  An enzyme produced by the pancreas and salivary glands that breaks down complex carbohydrates into smaller sugar molecules
• α-Glucosidase

  An enzyme found in the small intestine responsible for further breaking down smaller sugars into glucose, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream
• Polyphenols in aratiles can interfere with digestive enzymes like α-amylase and α-glucosidase, slowing down the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose
• Polyphenols

  A type of micronutrients commonly found in fruits and vegetables, including aratiles