The subject invention provides pharmaceutical compounds useful in the treatment of Type II diabetes. These compounds are advantageous because they are readily metabolized by the metabolic drug detoxification systems. Particularly, thiazolidinedione analogs that have been designed to include esters within the structure of the compounds are provided. This invention is also drawn to methods of treating disorders, such as diabetes, comprising the administration of therapeutically effective compositions comprising compounds that have been designed to be metabolized by serum or intracellular hydrolases and esterases. Pharmaceutical compositions of the ester-containing thiazolidinedione analogs are also taught.