The method for treating diabetes in an individual includes the step of administering a therapeutically effective amount of a pharmaceutically acceptable pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin compound to the individual suitable to provide therapeutic levels of insulin to the individual. The compound can be administered by injection, transdermal contact, or nasal spray. The method includes mixing the compound with an additive into an ingestible so that the therapeutic effective amount passes through the gastric acid of the stomach to the bloodstream.
