This invention relates to a method of treating type II diabetes with a
polyacetylenic compound of the following formula:
in which R.sub.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.2-C.sub.10 alkenyl,
C.sub.2-C.sub.10 alkynyl, C.sub.3-C.sub.20 cycloalkyl, C.sub.3-C.sub.20
cycloalkenyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20 heterocycloalkyl, C.sub.1-C.sub.20
heterocycloalkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl; R.sub.2 is H or a monosaccharide
residue; R.sub.3 is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.10alkyl; m is 2, 3, or 4; n is 0,
1, 2, or 3; o is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and p is 1, 2, 3, or 4.