A composition for the amelioration of inflammation of the islets of Langerhans, comprising at least one isolated compound selected from the group consisting of acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, β-boswellic acid, acetyl-β-boswellic acid, 9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, acetyl-9,11-dehydro-β-boswellic acid, α-boswellic acid, acetyl-α-boswellic acid, 11-dehydro-α-boswellic acid, acetyl-9,11-dehydro-α-boswellic acid, lupeolic acid, acetyl-lupeolic acid, 12-ursene-2-diketone, incensole, incensole acetate, derivatives thereof, esters thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and combinations thereof.