This invention relates to a method of treating type II diabetes with a polyacetylenic compound of the following formula:in which R1 is H, C1-C10 alkyl, C2-C10 alkenyl, C2-C10) alkynyl, C3-C20 cycloalkyl, C3-C20 cycloalkenyl, C1-C20 heterocycloalkyl, C1-C20 heterocycloalkenyl, aryl, or heteroaryl R2 is H or a monosaccharide residue R3 is H or C1-C10 alkyl 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.
