Is WW1 Explosive Ingredient A Diabetes Cure?

It remains to be seen.
"A chemical which caused munitions factory workers to lose weight inexplicably in the First World War could cure diabetes, scientists at Yale University believe.
DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) was used on an industrial scale in French arms factories in the beginning of the 20th century where it was mixed with piric acid to make explosives.
But workers exposed to the chemical began to sweat excessively, lose weight and suffer high temperatures.
Scientists at Stanford University realised that the DNP was increasing metabolism by up to 50 per cent, burning up huge amounts of fat and carbohydrate, and within a year 20 drugs containing the chemical were on the market.
However by the 1930s the wonder pills had been declared unsafe after one man who overdosed ‘literally cooked to death.’
Now, scientists at Yale University have discovered that watered-down version of the chemical, 100 times weaker than previous doses, can be used to reverse Type 2 diabetes.
Although the study has so far only been carried out in mice, the team is confident that the research would translate to humans and are keen to start trials.
“A low-dose infusion of DNP that was 100-fold lower than toxic levels significantly reduced blood glucose and insulin concentrations in a rodent model of type 2 diabetes", said lead author Dr Gerald Shulman.
"Given these promising results in animal models of fatty live disease and type 2 diabetes we are pursuing additional preclinical safety studies to take this approach to the clinic.”"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11437601/First-World-War-explosive-could-reverse-diabetes-says-Yale-University.html