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The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of Opuntia megacantha leaf extracts on blood glucose concentrations and kidney function in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)–diabetic rats. STZ-diabetic and non-diabetic rats were orally administered extracts of O. megacantha leaves (20 mg/100 g body weight) daily for 5 weeks and respective control rats were administered normal saline (0.1 ml/100 mg body weight). Urine volume, urinary outputs of Na⁺, K⁺ and creatinine were monitored daily over the 5-week period. Plasma concentrations of Na⁺, K⁺, urea and creatinine and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) as assessed by creatinine clearance were determined after 5 weeks. Plasma glucose concentrations in STZ-diabetic and non-diabetic rats were reduced by the administration of leaf extracts of O. megacantha. However, leaf extracts increased urinary Na⁺ output in STZ-diabetic and non-diabetic rats …